FRHS raising awareness of Parkinson's Disease for April
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 700 Nebraskans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease every year.
By News Channel NebraskaNORFOLK, Neb. -- April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Faith Regional Health Services is helping educate the public about the disease.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 700 Nebraskans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease every year.
“It is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, often beginning with a tremor in one hand,” said Dr. Zara Fatima, a neurologist with FRHS. “As the disease progresses, it causes slowness of movements, stiffness, coordination problems, balance problems, and difficulty with speech and swallowing.”
In addition to tremors, early signs of Parkinson’s Disease include constipation, memory issues, and sleeping problems.
Fatima detailed how the disease begins in the brain.
“The brain cells that form a chemical called dopamine, they die,” she said. “This leaves the brain without enough dopamine, a chemical of the neurotransmitter, that signals the nerves to trigger movement.”
In order to prevent or treat Parkinson’s, Fatima recommends daily aerobic exercise and a well-balanced diet.
She said that medication and deep brain stimulation surgery are two other ways to treat the disease.
She told News Channel Nebraska why she believes having a month dedicated to Parkinson’s awareness is important.
“Early treatment and diagnosis can slow down the progression. The physical symptoms of the disease make things harder. For example, day-to-day activities,” Dr. Fatima said. “I think getting ahead of it and finding it early, we’re just trying to make sure that we can make our patients functional for as long as possible.”
Fatima also said that the disease is not fatal and people with Parkinson’s have a normal life expectancy.