Facts about Parkinson’s disease

April has been Parkinson’s Awareness month. There is a good chance that at one time this month everyone reading this either saw or read something about Parkinson’s Disease (PD), talked to someone with PD (although they may not have been aware of that), or at least heard something about the disease.

A progressive, incurable neurological disease, whose effects on the central nervous system are both chronic (meaning they persist) and progressive (meaning that symptoms get worse over time), Parkinson’s Disease affects 10 million people worldwide, with approximately 500,000 of those being in the United States.

In fact, roughly 100 of those people live in the geographic area served by WCHC. However, because so many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed, the actual number is likely much higher.

Some experts estimate that as many as 1 million Americans have PD. Following Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. While there is no cure and symptoms can only be managed, not eliminated, countless organizations, among them the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinsons.org), Michael J. Fox foundation (michaeljfox.org), American Parkinson’s Disease Association (apda.org) and the Davis Phinney Foundation (davisphinneyfoundation.org), are working tirelessly searching for information to develop new, more effective PD management treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

In fact, on April 13 of this year, scientists have shown they can identify Parkinson’s disease using a biological marker even before physical symptoms arise, such as tremors, balance issues or loss of smell. Though we still have a long way to go toward finding a cure, this breakthrough is exciting news for PWP and their loved ones!

In the meantime, you can help in obvious ways, such as monetarily supporting organizations that engage in PD research, but you can also make a difference by encouraging anyone you know who has been diagnosed with the disease to join local groups/activities that support PWP and their care partners.

There are several groups right here, in the Washington Co. area! Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), a program that combines stretching, cardio fitness, and boxing skills to help manage PD symptoms, is offered at the YMCA on Mondays and Thursdays from 1-2:15 p.m. There are also support groups in Washington, Kalona, and Fairfield. In addition, Washington is fortunate to have a music therapy program run by Elisabeth Peiffer, a MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist! Research has found that including music therapy into the symptom management program of a PWP may help improve motor activity by attuning them to beats and rhythms, that in turn, “prime” muscle movement.

Need more information on any of these programs? Contact Julie Gentz, facilitator of the SE Iowa Parkinson’s Support Group that meets in Washington. She can be reached via email at fightpdbwg4121@gmail.com, or text/call her at 319.4611403. You can also join the SE IA Parkinson's Support Group’s Facebook page. Together we can fight back against PD and work toward the goal of finding a cure!