The word ‘Parkinson’s’ had absolutely no impact on me before the year 1995. It was at this time that my father was diagnosed with this disease. The best neurologist was consulted and medicines were prescribed. But it was a pity that the neurologist was a specialist and he had very little time to spare for ‘individual cases.’ The results were dramatic after my father began his medication for Parkinson’s. The medicines cause illusions called ‘hallucinations’. As a result his brain triggered stimuli which caused him to visualise people, men women and children around him. He would wake up in the middle of the night with the room full of people he didn’t know. He would try to defend himself from their assaults.
It is necessary that the people who are associated with the patient are educated about the condition of the patient so that they learn to accept the behavioural changes which are associated with the disease and the side-effects of the medication. Otherwise the patient may have the misfortune of being branded as a ‘maniac’ or a ‘mentally sick person’ because of the frequent bouts of depression which is a part of Parkinson’s. Sometimes the side-effects of these medications are not explained by the specialists. It is hard to blame them as they are burdened with too many patients each day.
One of the characteristics of the disease is the instability it causes while walking because of lack of balance. The patient finds it very difficult to balance his/her steps while climbing the staircase. A person afflicted with Parkinson’s has to be always escorted up and down the stairs. A person with Parkinson’s should never be allowed to climb the stairs on his/ her own. As the disease progresses the patient finds it difficult to walk on a flat surface. This does not mean that a patient should not walk. A patient should always be assisted while walking or a ‘Walker’ may be provided to help the patient walk on his/ her own. Physiotherapy is a must for these patients. I still remember my father’s energetic responses to physiotherapy even two days before he breathed his last.
As the disease progresses the patient cannot be trusted to take medication on his/ her own. Some of the medicines which are prescribed for Parkinson’s have an adverse effect if stopped suddenly, even for a day. So it is better that the patient always has a stock of essential medicines. At the same time since the patient is ‘confused’ it is also probable that the patient may take an overdose of the medicine.
The nature of the disease along with the drugs causes constipation and care should be taken to prevent this by making sure that the menu is planned with adequate quantity of fruits and vegetables. Parkinson’s also increases nocturnal urination which results in bed wetting which may lead to further infections. Western societies have improved the living conditions of such patients whether ‘at home’ or ‘at work.’
