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This April 11 is dedicated to Parkinson’s disease. But what do you really know about this pathology? Here are 5 preconceived ideas that die hard. And the program for this awareness day.
How well do you know about Parkinson’s disease? Not so sure. Although this neurodegenerative pathology affects the lives and handicaps more than 270,000 people in France, stubborn stereotypes persist. Received ideas which tend to make you believe that you are out of reach, when prevention is essential. On the occasion of this global awareness day, the company Boston Scientific, specializing in medical equipment, reviews the 5 most common.
5 ideas we have about Parkinson’s disease
A tremor can only come from Parkinson’s disease. Fake
Although visible tremor of the hands or other extremities is often associated with PD, tremor alone is not a reliable indicator of the disease. It can also be a symptom of a movement disorder. People who experience tremors should consult their doctor to determine the cause.
All people with Parkinson’s disease have tremors. Fake.
While not all tremors are necessarily due to Parkinson’s disease, there are various non-motor symptoms that can suggest the disease, such as sleep problems, reduced sense of smell or changes in handwriting. However, these symptoms can be due to various reasons. Those affected should also consult.
Parkinson’s disease affects both men and women. Fake.
Men are about 50% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. However, women have a higher risk than men of suffering from motor complications in the advanced stages of the disease.
Affected people cannot have sex. Fake.
While it is true that PD is often accompanied by a general decline in sexual function, due to both reduced physical abilities and the emotional impact of the disease, this does not mean that couples cannot return to a normal sex life. An open conversation with your partner and a healthcare professional can help address this PD challenge.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an experimental treatment method. Wrong again.
Although PD cannot be cured, a number of established treatment methods can be used to improve the overall quality of life of those affected. These include physical therapy and deep brain stimulation, which involves placing electrodes inside the brain to stimulate certain areas. Patients may experience an improvement in their quality of life and sleep, and deep brain stimulation may help reduce the number of medications they need to take each day. This technology, developed in France in the late 1980s, has been used for more than 30 years and is a relatively standard procedure.
Events all over France to find out more
Does the subject interest you or concern you directly? The France Parkinson association announces 60 events offered by departmental volunteer committees in France in April and May. With a strong theme: physical activity, essential to prevent and slow the progression of the disease
“Dedicated mainly to sick people and their loved ones, with the presence of health professionals involved in the care process, these meetings make it possible to communicate to people fighting against Parkinson’s the information necessary for a better understanding of the disease, its complex operation.”
The program includes conferences with neurologists and paramedical health professionals, educational workshops, activities, sporting and cultural activities, etc. to find out how physical activity can help in the patient journey. To be found in the form of an interactive map on the site www.franceparkinson.fr.