4/11/2024 11:12:58 AM
Parkinson’s Awareness Day | Health and Social Care Awareness
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a slowly progressive neurological condition affecting the brain. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Every year, on April 11th, Parkinson's Awareness Day serves as a reminder to educate, support, and advocate for those living with this condition. At Blue Stream Academy, we recognise the importance of spreading awareness about Parkinson's Disease to create understanding, empathy, and progress in its treatment and management.
What is Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s was first described in 1817 by the British physician James Parkinson’s in his essay on the shaking palsy. He was born on 11 April 1755, this is why 11 April is now World Parkinson’s Day. In the mid-1800s, Jean-Martin Charcot was influential in refining and expanding this early description and in disseminating information internationally about Parkinson’s. Also that there seemed to be ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ cases. Importantly he noted bradykinesia as a key cardinal feature.
Parkinson’s develops when nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce an important chemical called dopamine. Dopamine plays a crucial role in controlling the movement of the body.
Eventually, the brain cannot make enough dopamine to control movement properly. This is when symptoms of Parkinson’s start to appear. These symptoms can be subtle at first, but as more cells are lost, problems with movement can get worse and some individuals may also experience other non-motor symptoms.
What causes the loss of nerve cells is unclear, most experts believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors that are responsible. People show symptoms of Parkinson’s when about 50% of their dopamine-producing nerve cells have been lost.
Symptoms
The three main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s:
- Tremor: Involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, such as the hand or arm. More likely to occur when the limb is relaxed and resting.
- Rigidity: Stiff and inflexible muscles which can make it challenging for people to move. It can also cause painful muscle cramps.
- Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement resulting in everyday tasks becoming more difficult. Individuals walk with a distinctive slow, shuffling walk using small steps.
However, the condition does not only affect mobility. People living with Parkinson’s may also experience non-motor symptoms, such as pain, memory problems, depression and many others. Non-motor symptoms can have a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of people with Parkinson’s.
How Parkinson’s affects someone can change from day to day and even from hour to hour - symptoms that may be noticeable one day may not be a problem the next. This can either be caused by Parkinson’s or the medication used to treat it.
The order and severity of these can also differ from person to person. Parkinson’s is a complex condition, so it is important that a person’s symptoms are well managed. This will help to maintain their quality of life and independence.
How Common is Parkinson’s Disease
- 1 in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson's in their lifetime.
- In the UK, around 153,000 people are already living with Parkinson’s.
- The risk of developing Parkinson’s increases with age. Most people who develop Parkinson’s are aged 50 or over, but younger people can develop it too.
- The prevalence of developing Parkinson’s is higher for men than for women.
Ref: Parkinson’s UK
The Impact of Parkinson's
The impact of Parkinson's Disease extends beyond the individual diagnosed with the condition. It affects families, caregivers, and communities as they navigate the challenges associated with providing support and care. Parkinson's can significantly diminish a person's quality of life, impairing their ability to perform daily tasks, engage in social activities, and maintain independence. Furthermore, the emotional toll of living with a chronic, progressive illness can be profound, leading to feelings of frustration, isolation, and anxiety.
The Importance of Awareness
Parkinson's Awareness Day serves as a crucial platform to shed light on the realities of living with Parkinson’s Disease and to challenge misconceptions surrounding the disease. Increased awareness creates empathy and understanding, reducing the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with Parkinson's. It also encourages early detection and diagnosis, enabling timely access to treatment and support services. Additionally, raising awareness plays a vital role in driving research efforts aimed at developing better therapies and ultimately finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease.
How To Get Involved
As we observe Parkinson's Awareness Day, let us show our commitment to supporting individuals living with Parkinson's Disease and their families. There are many ways to get involved, from participating in fundraising events and awareness campaigns to volunteering with local organisations that serve the Parkinson's community. By coming together as a global community, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson's and work towards a future free from this devastating disease.
Final Remarks
Parkinson's Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals living with Parkinson's Disease and the importance of coming together to support them. At Blue Stream Academy, we stand with the Parkinson's community, advocating for increased awareness, improved care, and accelerated research efforts. Together, let’s build a world where everyone affected by Parkinson's Disease can live their lives to the fullest, with compassion, and hope.
Want to Learn More About Parkinson’s Disease?
At Blue Stream Academy we offer engaging eLearning modules for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across various sectors, including GP, Health and Social Care, Private and Urgent Care, Aesthetics, Dental, and Hospice.
Parkinson’s Awareness eLearning Module
Overview
Our Parkinson’s Awareness eLearning module is designed to increase the learner’s awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s.
There are many health and social care professionals from various professions who will be a part of caring for people with Parkinson’s.
We aim to take a ‘person centred approach’ throughout the module. This means to focus on a person with Parkinson’s needs as an individual and understanding that their life is not defined by Parkinson’s.
The module begins with an explanation of what Parkinson’s is, the difference between parkinsonism and Parkinson’s, and who is affected. The module also includes information on how Parkinson’s is diagnosed and the four stages of progression.
There's also information on the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s and the ways in which healthcare professionals can provide appropriate care and support to help people living with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms. This section will detail the primary ‘motor’ and ‘non-motor’ symptoms of Parkinson’s.
We discover the different treatment options for Parkinson’s and cover the importance of multidisciplinary team working, what Parkinson’s medication does, including the importance of receiving Parkinson’s medication on time, every time, and the different therapies that can help make living with Parkinson’s and the associated symptoms, easier to manage.
We also explore two case studies based on people living with Parkinson’s.
The Parkinson's eLearning module covers the following topics:
- what Parkinson's and parkinsonism is, who is affected, and the stages of diagnosis
- the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's
- how to support people with Parkinson's
- managing Parkinson's, medication, surgical options, and the importance of multidisciplinary team working
- the advanced stage of Parkinson's and how it progresses.
Suitability
Our Parkinson's Awareness course is suitable for professionals working in health and social care, particularly those engaged in the care, support, or interaction with people with Parkinson's.
Learn more about Blue Stream Academy
Click here for more information about Blue Stream Academy and what we offer. Alternatively, contact us via email at info@bluestreamacademy.com or speak with a team member at 01773 822549.