COURIER LIFE, OCT. 18-24, 2019 47
Wellness
Though millions of people
across the globe are living
with Parkinson’s disease,
many people have limited
knowledge of this disorder.
The extent of many people’s
experience with or knowledge
of Parkinson’s disease begins
and ends with Muhammad Ali
and Michael J. Fox, two highprofi
le personalities who have
publicly acknowledged their
fi ght against this potentially
debilitating disorder.
As much as Ali and Fox
have done to bring awareness
to Parkinson’s disease,
the disorder largely remains
a mystery, even to those medical
researchers who have devoted
their lives to fi nding
both a cause and a cure for Parkinson’s.
But there are some
things the medical community
does know about Parkinson’s,
and a greater understanding
of this disease might help fi nd
a cause once and for all.
What is Parkinson’s
disease?
Parkinson’s is a chronic
and progressive movement
disorder, which means the
symptoms will continue and
worsen over time. Parkinson’s
involves the malfunction
and death of nerve cells
in the brain, known as neurons.
Some of these neurons
are responsible for producing
dopamine, a chemical that
sends messages to the part of
the brain that controls movement
and coordination. As
Parkinson’s progresses, less
dopamine is produced, making
it more diffi cult for a person
with Parkinson’s to control
his body’s movements.
What are some
symptoms?
Symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease vary from individual
to individual, but the Parkinson’s
Disease Foundation
notes that the primary motor
signs of Parkinson’s include:
• Tremor of the hands,
arms, legs, jaw, and face
• Bradykinesia, or slowness
of movement
• Rigidity or stiffness of the
limbs and trunk
• Postural instability or impaired
balance and coordination
Parkinson’s progresses
slowly, and a person might begin
to feel somewhat weak and
notice slight tremors. These
tremors gradually progress to
additional symptoms. For example,
a person might notice
his voluntary movements, such
as walking or even rolling over
in bed, have become slower.
Other symptoms can include
diffi culty rising from a sitting
position or, in the later stages,
diffi culty swallowing.
Are there any
known causes?
There is no known cause
for Parkinson’s disease, but
scientists are exploring a potential
relationship between
the loss of cells in other areas
of the brain and body and Parkinson’s
disease. According
to the Foundation, scientists
have discovered that signs of
Parkinson’s disease have been
found not only in the midbrain,
but also in the brain
stem and the olfactory bulb.
Concerned men and women
who have or have had a family
member with Parkinson’s
disease often want to know
if there is a genetic link. Evidence
to a possible genetic
link remains highly controversial
and inconclusive, so
any potential genetic implications
regarding Parkinson’s
disease remain unclear.
Some evidence has suggested
that toxins in the environment
may cause Parkinson’s
disease. These toxins,
which include manganese,
carbon monoxide, and carbon
disulfi de, may selectively destroy
the neurons that produce
dopamine, potentially causing
Parkinson’s as a result.
Certain medications and
street drugs have also been
known to produce symptoms
similar to those associated
with Parkinson’s. Antipsychotics
used to treat severe
paranoia and schizophrenia
as well as MPTP, a synthetic
heroin contaminant, can
cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms.
More information about
Parkinson’s disease is available
at www.pdf.org.
Pets often make ideal companions.
They are around
when a person needs support,
they can provide protection
for those living alone,
they’re always willing to lend
an ear to problems, and many
tend to offer unconditional
love. Seniors facing an empty
nest or the loss of a spouse
may fi nd pets can buoy their
spirits. Studies have shown
that seniors can benefi t both
mentally and physically from
having a pet around. Pets can
alleviate anxiety, depression
and boredom.
While pets can provide
comfort and companionship,
they remain a signifi cant responsibility.
Seniors should
fi nd an animal that will fi t in
with their lifestyles. This is
an important consideration
for those seniors who travel
frequently or have mobility
issues. In addition, men and
women living in senior communities
or assisted living
facilities should determine if
there are any pet restrictions
in place.
Those seniors who have
decided that a dog will be the
best fi t can choose among several
breeds that may be a good
match for their needs. When
selecting a dog, consider
both size and temperament.
Smaller dogs tend to be easier
to handle and will need less
maintenance. They are easily
carried and won’t take as long
to bathe and groom. Smaller
dogs also consume less food
than larger breeds, reducing
the expense of dog food and
the hassle of wrangling large,
heavy bags of chow. Temperament
is also important, as
some breeds tend to be more
easygoing than others. Larger
breeds may be preferable to a
smaller breeds, which tend to
be hyperactive. However, always
remember there are pros
and cons to each breed, and
each dog will demonstrate his
own personality traits. The
following are some dogs that
can be especially compatible
with seniors.
Pug: Equally playful and
willing to be a lap dog, the
pug requires little exercise
and grooming. The breed is
typically nonaggressive and
submissive. Pugs are good-natured
and playful; they don’t
often bark and are easy to
train.
Shih Tzu: The Shih Tzu
lives for attention, but this
breed can be dominant and
diffi cult to train. The Shih Tzu
will be alert to its surroundings
and, despite its small stature,
can be a good watchdog.
Pomeranian: Pomeranians
look like big balls of fur
and can bring a smile to an
owner’s face. The breed tends
to be perky, can display dominance
and can be diffi cult to
train. Because Pomeranians
can be dog-aggressive, they
may be best as the only pet in
the house.
Yorkshire terrier: The
Yorkie is a diminutive breed
in size only, as they tend to
have exuberant personalities
that dwarf their stature. The
ideal lap dog, Yorkies want to
lie around and lounge, though
some do like to bark. If the fur
is kept short in a “puppy cut,”
the dog can be easy to maintain.
Pembroke Welsh corgi:
This medium-sized dog hails
from Wales and typically requires
only moderate exercise
and little grooming. They are
easy to train and moderately
dominant. They don’t bark excessively,
and they often get
along with other dogs.
What is Parkinson’s?
These dog breeds are
compatible with seniors
/www.pdf.org
/www.pdf.org