The number of people with Parkinson’s disease has crossed half a million in Pakistan but hardly a few people know about the irritating disease and how to handle patients suffering from the disease in Pakistan.
A very few organizations will be holding seminars and workshops or awareness lectures on the degenerative disorder of the central nervous system but, unfortunately, the health authorities are too busy with their other engagements to make people aware about the central nervous system disorder.
The Aga Khan University Hospital is holding an awareness seminar on “Parkinson’s Disease and its Management” in connection with the World Parkinson’s Day at its premises on April 12 (Tuesday) that would be addressed by senior neurologists, physiotherapists and other experts.
An AKU statement said that Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition which affects more than 6.3 million people across the world.
According to a research conducted at the University of Rochester, it is predicted that the number of people in the world with Parkinson’s disease will double by 2030.
The AKU seminar will highlight the steps that need to be taken for the management of Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed said that although no complete and comprehensive cure of the Parkinson’s disease has been discovered so far, however, with the help of some drugs, physiotherapy and help and assistance from the relatives and patients can help the patients lead a normal life.
In his message on the eve of World Parkinson’s Day that would be observed all over the world on April 11, the minister said the day would be observed to spread awareness about the disease and its impacts on the relatives of the patients and overall society.
According to him, Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders and the four primary symptoms are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia or slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.
The Parkinson’s disease is the old persons’ disorder, they become rash, irritating and depressed and it makes their life more miserable.
“In our society, people respect their elders but they should pay special attention to their elder relatives with Parkinson’s disease as they require more love, attention and care due to their ailment,” he said, adding that creating awareness about the disease was also very important for its management.
On the occasion, the minister urged the media to highlight the causes and issues associated with Parkinson’s disease and make people know how to handle people who have become victims of the degenerative disease.
According to Pakistan Parkinson’s Society, this disease strikes men at a slightly higher rate than women and it knows no social, economic or geographic boundaries. Some studies show that African-Americans and Asians are less likely than whites to develop Parkinson’s disease.
There are, however, over half a million people in Pakistan who have become victims of Parkinson’s disease but, unfortunately, a very few people know about its management in the country.
Scientists have not been able to explain this apparent lower incidence in certain populations, however, it is reasonable to assume that all people have a similar probability of developing the disease.
Age clearly correlates with the onset of symptoms. Parkinson’s disease is a disease of late middle age, usually affecting people over the age of 50. The average age of onset is 60 years.
However, some physicians have reportedly noticed more cases of “early-onset” of Parkinson’s disease during the past several years, and some have estimated that five to 10 percent of patients are under the age of 40.
The society’s principal mission is to create awareness about the disease, its office-bearers said and urged the health authorities to come forward and help people learn and handle the patients with Parkinson’s disease.
source: thenews
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