- BK Parekh Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder Society holds awareness programme
- Support groups play an important role to help persons with Parkinson’s Disease
- Public health centres offer free medicines but not multi-faceted therapy
NE HEALTH BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, APR 19
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurological disorder and irreversible but controllable. Although PHCs and government hospitals offer free medicines only support groups conduct multi-faceted programmes to help persons with Parkinson’s disease as most of them are senior citizens, said experts.
They were speaking at an awareness programme organized by B K Parekh Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society with the support of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad here on Sunday.
Throwing light on the society’s activities, Dr Dhvani Parikh, Physiotherapist said, “At B K Parekh Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society, we conduct a multi-faceted programme which mainly consists of occupational and speech therapy, physical exercise (physiotherapy), laughter therapy, dance and music, movement therapy along with proper nutrition, yoga-pranayama, doctor’s lectures and awareness sessions on other common brain diseases among senior citizens. Guidance is provided and these activities are conducted free of cost by trained professionals of BKP – PDMDS.”
Nearly 80 Parkinson’s disease patients staged a spectacular cultural event, including dance and music, to show their solidarity and will power to live with self-respect and dignity.
Shyamal – Saumil – Aarti Munshi helped organising an impressive function wherein the Parkinson’s disease patients presented cultural programme to mark the Day. Doctors said the patients were only hit by slow motion disease or disorder but their brains and mind were perfectly alive and active.
Support groups play an important role not only to help persons with Parkinson’s disease but also for their caregivers, Dr Maria Baretto, CEO, PDMDS, said while addressing a special event organised on the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day (April 11).
Dr Maria Baretto said Parkinson’s disease was a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and subsequently the parts of the body that are controlled by them. The symptoms progress with age and may include tremors in the body, loss of movement, deterioration in posture and balance, inability to walk and maintain weight, stiffness, the rigidity of muscles, changes in speech and others.
The deterioration in movements and other symptoms also plays on confidence and affects individuals emotionally and psychologically. Therefore apart from regular medication, the need of the hour is such support groups, Dr Maria Baretto said.
Dr Maria said that presently 60 centres are run by the PDMS spread over the country who are working towards the cause of Parkinson patients.
Speaking on the efficacy of treatment for this disease, Dr. Narendra Barad, DNB Neurology said, “Parkinson disease is on the rise in Gujarat and is also found among the age group of 40 and 45 years also. The severity of this disease seems more among the women. There is a dire need to undertake research work in this area of disease as to what could be the causes and preventions to be taken as well as the treatment.”
Dr. Shalin Shah, DM Neurology and Dr. Ravi Soni, DM Generiatric Psychiatrist also spoke at the event.
