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A common misconception about Parkinson’s disease is that it only affects older people.
According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John, most of us have been led to believe that the symptoms of Parkinson’s are associated with ageing and that the disease usually affects persons over the age of 50.
However, she pointed out that there have been more cases of “early onset” of the disease and emerging data has shown that during the past several years, it has been estimated that five to ten per cent of persons suffering from the disease are under the age of 40 years.
Dr. St. John, who was at the time addressing yesterday’s opening of the Barbados Parkinson’s Trust 1st annual Parkinson’s Disease Seminar sponsored by The Rotary Club of Barbados West at Limegrove Cinema, explained that Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.
“It has been documented that the disease is the second most common neuro-degenerative disease after Alzheimer’s. This chronic disease impairs motor skills, cognitive processes, as well as other functions. The most obvious motor-related symptoms include tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement and postural instability… Among non-motor symptoms are autonomic dysfunction and sensory and sleep difficulties. Cognitive and neuro behavioural problems, including dementia are common in the advanced stages of the disease,” she explained.
The CMO expressed that the Ministry of Health is very pleased that organisations such as the Barbados Parkinson’s Trust and Support Group, The Rotary Club of Barbados West and the organising committee, are endeavouring to make lives better for persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Dr. St. John said she is also aware that in Barbados, there are a number of affected persons who would benefit from the appropriate support and education with respect to this disease.
“It is these types of fora, which provide the awareness and opportunities for persons to deliberate, as well as to set new goals as they work closely together in order to seek new strategies to enhance the lives of persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease. We have already noted that the disease is degenerative. Therefore, it presents a situation which challenges this society to adapt, in order to maximise the health and functional capacity of persons who are affected,” she observed.
Vice-President of The Rotary Club of Barbados West, Joseph Steinbok assured the large gathering which comprised of persons with Parkinson’s, their families and caretakers, of his Club’s commitment to the event which saw presentations from local and overseas healthcare professionals who specialise in this debilitating ailment. It was also pointed out that Rotary West has focused most of its efforts on Health and the Youth, through education.
“In addition, this area of Parkinson’s touched the Club directly, as one of our past presidents Andrew St. John, is a sufferer of Parkinson’s ... We were influenced by him and his wife, that is how we got involved in this event and we will continue to support the Parkinson’s Trust as it moves forward,” he stated. (TL)