Guest Column by Anne Troska

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Every year, approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This does not count the many cases that go undiagnosed. In the United States, more than a million people are diagnosed with the disease. This is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

I am very familiar with this affliction. My husband had Parkinson’s for 25 years. I watched him progress from a strong and healthy dairy farmer to, in his final months, being confined to a care facility. In his case we were very lucky. His disease progressed slowly, and he was able to lead an almost normal life, with the aid of medication, for many years. Others are not so fortunate.

What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As the disease progresses, the amount of dopamine produced by the brain decreases, leaving the person unable to control movement normally.

The four key motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor of the hands, arms, legs or jaw; muscle rigidity or stiffness of the arms or legs or trunk; slowness of movement; and problems with balance and coordination. Other common symptoms may include pain, dementia or confusion, trouble sleeping, depression, constipation and cognitive changes such as fear and anxiety. Every patient is different. Some Parkinson’s disease people have no tremor at all, making diagnosis difficult. There is no blood test to tell you that you have Parkinson’s disease. It is really best to consult with a doctor who is a specialist in movement disorders to get a definitive diagnosis and the proper medication dosage.

Many people want to know what causes Parkinson’s. Scientists are working to uncover positive causes; however, it is known that our area of the country has a significantly high percentage of Parkinson’s disease sufferers. One very possible connection may be with agriculture and the unprotected use of chemicals in the past. I know that my husband hand-mixed treated corn seed and other chemicals and was told that it was perfectly safe. Now we know that just the opposite is true. Other sufferers I know were associated through other lifestyles with chemical usage.

The message I would like to leave you with is this: Encourage loved ones who are exhibiting some of the above symptoms to see a specialist. Too often these are ignored until things become too difficult and have progressed significantly. Early detection can really help to delay some of the worst problems, and one of the very best things is a good exercise program. Studies have found that exercise can lesson symptoms besides strengthening the body. There are also medications that can be very helpful in the early stages.

The second message is really an invitation. I am the facilitator of the Southern Minnesota Parkinson’s Support Group. We meet at 9:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Albert Lea Senior Center. Right here I would like to thank the Senior Center for providing us with a wonderful meeting place and at no charge. We appreciate it so much. Each month we try to have an informational speaker, but the best part of the support group is having the opportunity to speak to other people who are going through the same things as you are. Caregivers, too, are a big part of our group, and their journey is just as difficult in its own way. I encourage anyone who is suffering from Parkinson’s and their caregivers to join us and give us a try. We would be so happy to see you.

If you would like to contribute to the war against Parkinson’s disease,  you may contact the National Parkinson’s Foundation on its website at www.parkinson’s.org and make your donation there. We are happy to receive donations, but please note that donations to our own group are not tax deductible, as we are not a 501(c).If you would like more information you may contact me at atroska56@gmail.com.

Anne Troska of Alden is the facilitator of the Southern Minnesota Parkinson’s Support Group.