A Guide To Coping With Parkinson’s Disease

Updated on April 22, 2021

Nearly 75% of all patients with serious illnesses receive their diagnosis in a ‘suboptimal way.’ In other words, the confirmation of a disease is poorly delivered without giving the patient adequate time to absorb the information. Medical professionals might also talk in a way that it is not understood because they use medical jargon. If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you may be one of those people who don’t fully understand what the disease is all about and how to prepare and live with it. The good news is that there are several ways to cope when living with Parkinson’s disease, making the condition manageable and allowing you to lead a comfortable life.

Find Out Everything About The Disease

Shock, anger, disbelief, and a range of emotions are probably what you will feel when you get the news that you have Parkinson’s disease. But, you don’t have to feel like you have lost control of your life. Take the time to know as much as you can about the disease. Read up on the latest research and treatment protocols. Understanding what Parkinson’s is all about in the simplest terms makes it easy to take charge of your life and treatment.

The disease is caused by the breakdown of nerve cells responsible for producing dopamine that controls body movements and emotional responses. Research also links the illness to exposure to toxic chemicals such as Paraquat, a herbicide used in agriculture. Hence, if you believe that you have been in contact with it and it may be the reason for your condition, you can even file a Paraquat lawsuit. Under the law, you may be entitled for compensation due to the negligence of the manufacturer that made it, and the money that you receive may help pay for treatment, lost wages, and other damages. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but you can halt its progression, eliminate complications, and make life better for yourself and others around you.

Get A Medical Team For Your Care

A medical team that you trust matters because it will make a difference in your attitude when undertaking treatments or therapies. Look for a neurologist that you believe in and who has great experience in treating patients with Parkinson’s. You might also need to work with a physical therapist to manage your physical capabilities as the disease progresses. What is important is that your care team, which can be made up of physicians, nurses and therapists, are highly-qualified and experienced in dealing with patients affected by PD.

Another important aspect of your care is a support system. In addition to coming to terms with your condition, you must also have someone with whom you can share your hopes and fears, talk about your condition and treatment plans, accompany you to medical appointments, and discuss your illness. This person will equally be under a great deal of stress. He or she can be a friend or a family member, or even someone that you hire for the purpose of your care. In other words, building up a strong support system also matters because it can help you cope with the illness physically, mentally, socially, and psychologically.

Parkinson’s disease is devastating because there is not yet a cure for the condition. However, if it is caught early, and if you take the time to understand it, assemble a trustworthy medical care team, and expand your support system, you’re going to go through it with dignity and a reasonably good quality of life.

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