Help for Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield

Hello and welcome back to the ThreeSpires Physiotherapy blog where we take a look at all things physiotherapy and health related. In the last couple of blogs we have been looking at the help available in Sutton Coldfield for anyone with Multiple Sclerosis or recovering from a stroke. In the same theme I thought that it would be a good idea to have a look at another common and debilitating condition: Parkinson's Disease and look at what it is, how it affects people and the help available for Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield.

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease is a common progressive neurological condition that affects areas of the brain that co-ordinate muscle movements. It is caused by the death of cells in the brain that produce the key neurotransmitter dopamine.It is important that if you or a relative has Parkinson's Disease that you access as much high quality rehabilitation and physiotherapy as you possibly can which is where our home visit physiotherapy service in Sutton Coldfield can really help.

What are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

The effects of Parkinson's Disease are extremely varied and in the early days can very mild but the following are some of the most common:

Tremors/Shaking: This is usually one of the first symptoms to be noticed and tends to be worst at rest. In general in Parkinson's Disease the hands will be affected the most.

Stiffness: Joints and limbs can often become stiff causing difficulty with movement.

Balance and Posture: As the Parkinson's Disease progresses  people will tend to stoop more and their balance will often worsen causing more falls.

Speech Changes: Words may become slurred or harder to understand

Handwriting: This will often worsen and become very thin and spidery.

What Causes Parkinson's Disease?

The exact cause of Parkinson's Disease is unknown but is thought to be a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers. People with a family member with Parkinson's Disease seem more likely to get the disease themselves.

Who is Likely to get Parkinson's Disease?

People usually begin developing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease after the age of 50 and it is much more common as people age. Apprximately 1 in 500 people are affected by Parkinson's Disease and men are very slightly more likely to get Parkinson's Disease than women.

How is Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed?

Unfortunately as with many other neurological conditions there is no conclusive test for Parkinson's Disease and a diagnosis usually made via a combination of physical testing and patient symptoms. It is often hard to be certain of a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, especially in teh early days when symptoms may be very mild and often mistaken for other issues. In general, a patient who is concerned they may have Parkinson's Disease will see their GP, who will discuss things with them and if they are concerned will refer them through to a neurologist. At this point the neurologist will performs some physical tests such as looking at strength, balance and reflexes and then in combination with the patient's history will make a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. Sometimes it may be necessary to undergo further testing such as imaging via an MRI to rule out other potential causes. 

What Professionals Will Be Involved with a Patient with Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield?

The medical professionals involved in the care of a patient with Parkinson's Disease will very much depend upon the nature and intensity of their symptoms and may vary significantly over time. For anyone who has not previously had involvement with hospitals and medicine in general this can be a confusing experience with a bewildering array of professionals. Below I have tried to give a general guide to people who may be involved in helping with Parkinson's Disease:

1. Neurological Consultant: as mentioned earlier this will be the person who makes the formal diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and will also be the person in overall charge of your care. If your symptoms are mild and well controlled it is likely that you will only raraley see your consultant, however if medication needs changing or things worsen then it is likely that they will become more involved.

2. GP: on a daily basis, its mostly likely that the GP will be the doctor most closely involved with managing your Parkinson's Disease.The GP will make any referrals such as to occupational therapy and act as the gate-keepers for NHS services. It is important that if there are any changes in your Parkinson's Disease that you keep them well informed.

3. Occupational Therapist (OT): if your symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are mild there will be likely minimal need for OT involvement. However as things change the occupational therapists can help with assessment for equipment and adaptations to your house that can make life easier.

4. Carers/Care Agency: as things progress, eventually people with Parkinson's Disease tend to need soem help to amke the every day things in life easier and this is where carers and a care agency can come in. There are many care agencies in Sutton Coldfield that will be able to help with Parkinson's Disease.

5. Physiotherapists: obviously physiotherapy will play a key role in maintaining strength, balance and reducing the risk of falls associated with Parkinson's Disease. Initially when symptoms are mild physiotherapy will simply involve having an assessment to have a look at how things are being affected and discuss the best management plan but later on physiotherapy will play a key role.

How Much Physiotherapy Will I Get to Help with My Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield?

This is a common question from many people with Parkinson's Disease and although it makes a lot of sense that the NHS should be supporting people with long-term conditions and making sure that they stay as fit and strong as possible, unfortunately the reality is that budgets and resources are very stretched and there is often limited help available. Certainly in the early days of Parkinson's Disease it is likely that you will have very little involvement with either NHS physiotherapists or OTs and it will only be when things have progressed that they will become involved. As many people are aware there is often a long wait to access services and once you have seen a physio it is likely that they will only be able to see you a few times. 

What General Help is There for Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield?

One of the main difficulties that people face, especially when being first diagnosed is knowing what help there is available to help them with their Parkinson's Disease. As such I have tried to list below all of the resources that I am aware of to help with Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield:

1. Parkinson's Cafe: there is a meet up organised by Age Concern every other Tuesday in Sutton Coldfield. More details can be found by clicking here.

2. Parkinsons UK Website: although not specifically for Sutton Coldfield, this is still of enormous use for anyone with Parkinson's Disease and has a large array of resources. More info can be found here.

3. Seated Exercise Classes: if you are currently getting around and having minimal diffculties then a seated exercise class won't be of much use, however a common difficulty that people with Parkinson's Disease face is a loss of balance and a tendency to fall. Therefore seated exercise classes make a lot of sense. If you click on this link here, you will be able to find a wide array of classes in Sutton Coldfield. 

How Can ThreeSpires Physiotherapy Help me With Parkinson's Disease in Sutton Coldfield?

We can help in a number of ways and have testimonials available on our website, Facebook page and Google+ page.  Our chartered physiotherapists are all experienced at assisting patients with Parkinson's Disease and are able to provide a physiotherapy service at home in Sutton Coldfield to anyone who has Parkinson's Disease. Often our physiotherapists work alongside and in conjunction with NHS neurological physiotherapists to maximise mobility and function for patients with Parkinson's Disease and our physiotherapists are able to liaise directly with NHS staff in order to reduce the burden on families.

Okay, I hope you have found this physiotherapy blog useful. If you or anyone you know has Parkinson's Disease and lives in Sutton Coldfield then please get in touch to have a chat about how we might be able to help with recovery and physiotherapy. We can be contacted via email: enquiries@threespiresphysiotherapy.co.uk or phone: 07884281623