JEDDAH — The World Parkinson’s Program is running “Parkinson’s Education Campaign” in Saudi Arabia throughout September.
Currently, Parkinson’s disease approximately affects about 50,000 individuals in Saudi Arabia.
“Parkinson’s disease affects every race and is present in every part of the world,” said Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rana, founder of World Parkinson Program, who is a Canadian neurologist specialized in movement disorder and Parkinson’s disease, and currently the director of Parkinson’s Clinic of Eastern Toronto and Movement Disorders Centre in Canada.
The campaign is not limited to any one particular hospital in Saudi Arabia. Due to increased demand, the campaign has been extended to all Asian Arab countries.
“Due to increased rates of consanguinity (marriages between close relatives) in Saudi Arabia, there may be higher prevalence of genetic cases of Parkinson’s disease, amongst other neurological conditions,” he said.
Rana believes that adequate knowledge about Parkinson’s disease among patients and caretakers is the key to patient’s effectively managing the disease on a day-to-day basis.
Rana said: “Lack of awareness of the disease in patients can result in lack of confidence, increased confusion or anxiety, leading to a poor quality of life.”
According to Rana, “Those who fight Parkinson’s with knowledge always find solutions" is the central theme of the World Parkinson’s Program.
Promoting education about Parkinson’s disease is the primary goal of World Parkinson’s Program.
A special program for Arabic speaking individuals has been developed by World Parkinson’s Program.
They provide educational brochures, handbooks, and CDs in Arabic about various aspects of Parkinson’s disease for patients and caregivers.
“We wanted to reach patients, caregivers, allied health professionals if possible,"he said.
The materials and literature for both health institutions and patients are available and delivered free of charge.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that involves the loss of brain cells responsible for producing dopamine.
Dopamine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) playing a critical role to create smooth, intentional movements in the body.
Dr. Shulweeh Alenazi, consultant psychiatrist, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh said: "Healthcare professionals should educate themselves and others about the visible and invisible stigmas associated with Parkinson’s. As suggested by Rana and colleagues, using a holistic approach to assess a Parkinson’s patient as a whole person by incorporating your passion and experience may not only assist in understanding the complications of Parkinson’s disease, but can possibly reveal the visible and invisible stigmas related to this disease."
He suggests that healthcare teams of Parkinson’s patients should be mindful of providing comprehensive care to patients for their physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Therapeutic interventions provided by healthcare professionals should target each and every motor and non- motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Healthcare professionals should educate caregivers and patients not only through clinical encounters, but also through Parkinson’s support groups and other educational means.
Rana points out that the loss of dopamine results in impaired movement in Parkinson’s patients.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s patients varies from initial stages to its progression and includes tremors, stiff muscles, impaired posture and balance, speech and writing difficulties, slow movement, difficulty swallowing, sexual dysfunction, stooped posture impaired motor coordination, sleep and mood disorder, sensory disturbances, constipation, bladder and skin problems, fatigue depression, anxiety, dental and sight problems, weight issues, slowed thinking, confusion and many more.
Parkinson patients are expected to double by 2030 globally and many living with the condition cannot afford medications, consultations with neurologist, flexible amenities, healthcare supplies, educational literature and information.
Therapies for Parkinson’s disease for patients and care-givers looking to incorporate natural methods to improve their quality of life and treatment.
World Parkinson Program is dedicated to improve the quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s and their caretakers by providing education and support services.
Rana said: “We request patients neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, family physicians, internists, hospital administrators, and GPs to contact us at pdprogram.org to receive valuable and informational literature.”
Syeda Amtul - Saudi Gazette
