Parkinson's_Frank

Parkinson's Disease! By: Shannon Frank

Interview with grandma

Girl: Hey grandma! How are you? Are you okay? You said that you have been experiencing aches and shakes even when at rest. Grandma: Yes, I have. I have also had constapation, anxiety, depression, and some odd hallucinations even when i am not asleep. I went to the doctor, like you recommended, and they said that I have something called Parkinson's Disease. I don't know what that is. Can you please help me figure it out?

Girl: Oh, I know all about this disease. There are 4 major symptoms that may occur. The first is experiencing tremors in your arms and legs. These are the aches and shakes that have been occuring. The second is stiffness or immobility in your arms and legs. This is only temporary. The third is having bad balance. This can occur when you're either walking or standing. You may have the urgency to fall backwards. The last is experiencing slowness in your overall body movement. This can be either your face, legs, and arms. This is also temporary.

Grandma: Oh! Yes that is it! that is what my doctor had mentioned. I have sadly experienced all of those symptoms.

Girl: Well, those are skills that decrease your motor skills. Other symptoms are cramps in your hand. This immobilizes your ability to write. You may also have a shuffled walk because of your ability to not be able to move your legs as easlily. Also, you may "freeze" in place as you walk. Another symptom is that you may lose facial muscle activity causing you to have a disability with talking, swallowing, or blinking.

Grandma: Oh my! That does not sound good at all! How can I cure it?

Girl: Scientists have not found a cure yet. They do recommend therapy to treat bothersome symptoms. They are approaching surgical therapy and medication to treat it. Having medication and therapy is said to better your progression of getting better. I recommend lots of rest, exercise, support groups, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Grandma: Well that is good news! Ill get right on it!

Girl: Other facts about Parkinson's Disease are that it is a dominant disorder and 1-2% of people over 60 years of age, get Parkinson's Disease. It is fatal placing it as the 14th leading cause of death in the U.S. 6 million people suffer from it worldwide every year. If you are interested in this disease try this website out!- www.parkinsonsdisease.com.