Documented as early as the 12th Century B.C. in Ancient Egypt, Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease (PD) was first extensively medically described in 1817 by English surgeon James Parkinson.
More than two centuries later, this progressive neurological disorder of the brain now affects more than 17,500 people in British Columbia and about 100,000 people across Canada.
As April marks Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 Awareness Month internationally, this time of the year presents a chance to educate the public about this incurable disease, which is projected to double globally by 2040.
Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease and its symptoms
Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 occurs when dopamine-producing cells in the brain deteriorate. Dopamine, an important neurotransmitter for nervous system functions, is responsible for regulating movements and emotions. The exact cause for the death of these cells remains unclear.
Individuals diagnosed with PD might exhibit common motor symptoms including tremors (shaking), slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, and impaired balance. Other less visible and non-motor symptoms frequently observed are fatigue, speaking difficulties, sleep disorders, and cognitive changes among other things. Some have also reported losing their sense of smell.
Despite the common symptoms associated with Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease, each individual91裸聊视频檚 experience varies greatly, with unique symptoms and requirements.
Researchers believe that Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 is likely caused by genetic and environmental factors. However, there91裸聊视频檚 still no clear understanding of what triggers the onset of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Commonly associated with older age, this progressive brain disease typically sees an increased risk of diagnosis as people grow older, with the average age being around 60. However, onset can occur as early as 40.
The risk of developing PD is twice as high in men than women but is known to progress faster and be more lethal to female patients.
Living with Parkinson91裸聊视频檚
Ross Lane, a retired industrial electrician living in Courtenay, was diagnosed last year with the neurodegenerative condition at 76 years old.
Feeling increasingly tired, Lane first met with a sleep doctor who diagnosed him with sleep apnea. After visiting a clinic in Nanaimo, he was given a machine to help him sleep, but after a few months, his condition didn91裸聊视频檛 seem to improve.
91裸聊视频淚 (went back to my doctor) and by that time I had clear symptoms,91裸聊视频� Lane said. 91裸聊视频淲hen I would reach for something, my hand would move very slowly. When I was writing, (everything) would get very tiny. After seeing this, my doctor said 91裸聊视频楾hat doesn91裸聊视频檛 sound like a sleep problem, it sounds like Parkinson91裸聊视频檚.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Struggling with various motor and non-motor symptoms, Lane said that some are more apparent than others.
91裸聊视频淲hen I walk, I stagger around like I91裸聊视频檓 drunk, but I haven91裸聊视频檛 had a drink in years,91裸聊视频� Lane said.
When asked how it was to live with Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease, the man explained it was as if somehow, his 91裸聊视频渕uscles forgot how to do stuff (he91裸聊视频檚) been doing forever.91裸聊视频�
Despite living independently, Lane finds that life91裸聊视频檚 most basic tasks often pose serious challenges daily.
91裸聊视频淣ormally, you wouldn91裸聊视频檛 really even think about dressing up because you would just whip your pants on or whatever,91裸聊视频� said Lane. 91裸聊视频淏ut when you have Parkinson91裸聊视频檚, you have much less mobility so I really struggle. That91裸聊视频檚 one of the reasons I went back to coveralls.91裸聊视频�
Some things that many might consider trivial, like flipping pancakes or cleaning one91裸聊视频檚 home, take considerably more time and energy for Lane to accomplish.
Regardless of these physical limitations, the retiree mentioned that one of the most debilitating parts of Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 is the isolating nature of this disease. After surrendering his driver91裸聊视频檚 licence for fear of causing an accident, Lane now feels trapped within the confine of his apartment.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 kind of lonely because I don91裸聊视频檛 have anybody to talk to about it,91裸聊视频� said Lane. 91裸聊视频淓ven though I91裸聊视频檓 in a support group, we only meet once a month. I can91裸聊视频檛 walk as far or as quickly as before.91裸聊视频�
This loneliness is made worse by a lack of prognosis.
91裸聊视频淭he medical profession will not give me a prognosis and can91裸聊视频檛 tell me how quickly my disease is going to progress or (when I91裸聊视频檓 going) to be dead,91裸聊视频� Lane said. 91裸聊视频淚 feel a little abandoned.91裸聊视频�
Comox Valley resident Bev White shares a similar story to Lane.
In 2022, at age 75, she was diagnosed with PD after her partner, Paul Atterton, asked their doctor to take a closer look at White91裸聊视频檚 gait.
In the following month, the woman was diagnosed with Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease and Lewy body dementia - which is commonly associated with Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 and Alzheimer91裸聊视频檚.
91裸聊视频淚 think there were early signs if you knew that you were looking for. I think a lot of people don91裸聊视频檛 know (about PD91裸聊视频檚 symptoms,)91裸聊视频� said White. 91裸聊视频淚 was trying to learn how to play bridge because it91裸聊视频檚 supposed to be good for your brain, but for the life of me, I couldn91裸聊视频檛 (learn) anything beyond the very basics.91裸聊视频�
After sharing his life for the last three decades with White, Atterton has seen the state of his partner decline drastically over the past 12 months.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been two years now and there91裸聊视频檚 been a dramatic change, especially on the cognitive side,91裸聊视频� Atterton said. 91裸聊视频�(Her symptoms have just) exaggerated over time. The length of the awake day is shortened. Her shuffling is getting more (evident). There91裸聊视频檚 a lot of muscle stiffness, shortness of steps, loss of speech and overall confusion.91裸聊视频�
Atterton describes every morning as a 91裸聊视频渂usiness meeting,91裸聊视频� during which both review the day91裸聊视频檚 schedule, ensuring they stay within a 24-hour time cycle to avoid further confusion on White91裸聊视频檚 part.
Considering herself lucky to be sharing life with her loved one, White recognized the chance she had to have a supportive partner.
91裸聊视频�(Paul) is a rascal!91裸聊视频� White said laughing. 91裸聊视频淏ut he91裸聊视频檚 been absolutely amazing and incredibly patient in the last couple of years as we91裸聊视频檝e gone through all this.
91裸聊视频淗e makes me breakfast, lunch and dinner, and washes the dishes. He91裸聊视频檚 been very supportive and very patient. I can91裸聊视频檛 imagine where I would be without him.91裸聊视频�
Yet, underneath this unwavering support, the couple is increasingly feeling the ever-growing weight of this disease. Having to give up his own hobbies and social life, Atterton is now fully dedicated to White.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 say that selfishly or begrudgingly, but we91裸聊视频檙e not getting the support we need and I91裸聊视频檓 basically Bev91裸聊视频檚 24/7 health care system,91裸聊视频� Atterton said. 91裸聊视频淪he is not able to live by herself. If I wasn91裸聊视频檛 here, she91裸聊视频檇 be in the hospital today. Bev can91裸聊视频檛 manage simple things like putting out her medication, knowing what time of day it is or even what house she91裸聊视频檚 living in.91裸聊视频�
The hardest thing for Atterton is to witness the disappearance of his lover, day by day, and watch Bev slowly become a shadow of her former self.
91裸聊视频�(Everyday is just) like fixing a puzzle,91裸聊视频� Atterton said. 91裸聊视频淚 had Bev as a 1,000-piece puzzle and now she91裸聊视频檚 400 pieces of it. It91裸聊视频檚 changing dramatically every day more so in the last two months than it was in the last year.91裸聊视频�
Despite what the disease brings, White, Atterton, and Lane want to spread awareness about this progressive brain disorder.
91裸聊视频淧eople seem to be afraid to even ask me what91裸聊视频檚 going on, but I91裸聊视频檓 not embarrassed by (my condition,)91裸聊视频� Lane said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just the disease that I happen to have and I91裸聊视频檓 happy to talk about it. I don91裸聊视频檛 know if people are not curious or they91裸聊视频檙e scared to ask me questions, but I would say ask me about it if you91裸聊视频檙e interested!91裸聊视频�
For more information about Parkinson91裸聊视频檚 disease and to learn more about services and resources available in B.C., visit .
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