Parkinson's Disease
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's Disease is a neurological condition which affects a person's movements, such as walking and talking. It is named after Dr James Parkinson who identified the condition in the 18th century.
It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The dopamine-producing cells allow messages to be sent to parts of the brain which co-ordinate movement, and, as these cells deplete, the brain is unable to function normally, thus producing a movement disorder.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Parkinson's are categorised as motor and non motor signs.
Motor functions
- Tremors are the first sign of Parkinson's in 70 per cent of cases
- Slow movement
- Stiffness of muscles
- Balance and co-ordination
Non motor functions
- Disturbed sleep
- Constipation
- Depression
- Urinary urgency
These symptoms can be signs of other disorders, and those conditions are collectively known as 'parkinsonism'. Parkinson's Disease is the most common form of parkinsonism, but less common forms are multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
How Priory can help
Priory has been helping to treat people with Parkinson's Disease for many years. We know that everyone's situation is different, which is why we ensure that everyone has a unique treatment plan tailored to their needs.
The services offered by The Priory are usually on an inpatient basis when people are struggling to cope in their own environment. At this time the team can best meet the needs of the individual. In some cases the individual may remain with the Priory until the end of their life. Rest assured that Priory staff are skilled at managing palliative care, supporting both the patient and family during this difficult time.
For more information or to request an initial assessment, please call 0845 2 PRIORY (0845 2 774679) or email info@priorygroup.com.
We offer a range of therapy, including:
Physiotherapy - to work with impaired motor functions. This involves practicing gait, balance and co-ordination as well as maximising normal movement, improving/maintaining respiratory function
Occupational therapy - help with activities of daily living such as, dressing, washing, eating, bathing and toileting.
Speech and language therapy - to give advice and exercises on how to retrain a person's voice
Dietitian - advice on food including preventing bowel impaction; the importance of fluids; Parkinson's and bone health; and food, mood, and stress
Cranial sacral therapy (CST) - research has shown that this type of treatment has a huge positive impact as an adjunct with the conventional therapy.
For more support
If you feel you or a friend or relative may need support and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP or contact any of the following organisations.
Parkinson's Disease Society
www.parkinsons.org.uk