Unseen Risks in Complex Progressive Diseases — Parkinson Disease

By Carol Edwards on Apr 12, 2023

Responding only to current symptoms in progressive diseases ignores potentially serious and avoidable health risks, a good example is Parkinson Disease.

Parkinson Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system, particularly the parts of the brain responsible for controlling movement. While motor symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movements are the most associated with Parkinson Disease, the condition can also cause significant non motor symptoms that can seriously negatively impact aspects of a person’s health.

Some of the Health Risks are:

1. Cognitive and emotional problems: Parkinson Disease can lead to cognitive impairment, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. It can also cause emotional changes, such as depression, Anxiety, and apathy.
2. Sleep disorders: Many people with Parkinson’s disease experience sleep problems, such as insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and rapid eye movements, sleep behavior disorder, which involves acting out dreams during sleep
3. Gastrointestinal problems: Parkinson disease can affect the digestive system, causing symptoms like constipation, nausea, and Difficulty Swallowing. The latter can result in silent aspiration and eventually pneumonia.
4. Urinary problems: Parkinson disease can lead to bladder problems, such as incontinence and urgency.
5. Orthostatic Hypotension: This causes a drop in blood pressure when standing , leading to dizziness, light headedness and fainting. Resulting in falls associated with premature death in the elderly.
6. Skin problems: Some people with Parkinson’s can develop skin problems like dryness, itching and sweating.
7. Fatigue: Example Tiredness which can impact the person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
   Parkinson Disease is challenging for both the client and their family. Particularly in the later stages it requires careful monitoring and timely interventions to mitigate these risks.

We have found that a well managed and coordinated Healthcare Team can produce optimal outcomes of complex diseases.

Careable, led by its experienced Registered Nurses, coordinates and manages the entire range of Healthcare providers, from skilled Nurses, Support workers, in coordination with Geriatricians, Neurologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech language Pathologists, and Dietitians.

Our objective is to preserve Quality of Life for the Client and their loved ones by avoiding health emergencies and hospitalizations.

L. Carol Edwards SRN. RN