The City of Trail is recognizing Parkinson’s Awareness Month on Saturday by illuminating the Victoria Street Bridge in magenta and teal-coloured lights.
About Parkinson’s:
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.
Most common symptoms:
- Tremor
- Slowness and stiffness
- Impaired balance
- Rigidity of the muscles
Other symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Soft speech
- Problems with handwriting
- Stooped posture
- Constipation
- Sleep disturbances
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can take time.
A family doctor might notice it first. You may be referred to a neurologist – a specialist who deals with Parkinson’s. There are no xrays or tests to confirm Parkinson’s. So the neurologist will check your medical history, do a careful physical examination and certain tests, and rule out other conditions which may resemble Parkinson’s.
Currently there is no cure.
You can live with Parkinson’s for years. The symptoms are treated with medication. Some people with Parkinson’s may benefit from surgery.
The following therapies can also help manage the symptoms:
- Physical therapy helps mobility, flexibility and balance
- Occupational therapy helps with daily activities
- Speech therapy helps with voice control
- Exercise helps muscles and joints and improves overall health and well-being
Parkinson’s can progress at a different rate for each person.
As symptoms change, medication will need to be adjusted. As the disease progresses, non-motor symptoms may also appear, such as depression, difficulty swallowing, sexual problems or cognitive changes.
It is important to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about Parkinson’s, ideally a neurologist. By working with a health-care team, a treatment plan can be created that will meet the person’s individual needs.
Every Parkinson’s experience is unique.
The symptoms and progression will vary from person to person.
Living with Parkinson’s requires an individualized or holistic approach which includes all aspects of life.
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The City of Trail would like to express our gratitude to all our front line workers including all healthcare workers and medical support staff, RCMP, ambulance attendants, firefighters, as well as grocery store, pharmacy, banking institution and transit employees, who have been working to support our community as we band together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
To show our ongoing support, the decorative lights on the Victoria Street Bridge will be lit in pink/red colours to align with the Hearts in the Window Campaign that encourages people to place colourful hearts in their windows to spark joy during these challenging times. The lights will start tonight, Friday, March 27, and will run until we emerge from this unprecedented situation.
Look for the pink/red lights nightly, with the exception of the purple lights on Monday, April 6 in recognition of National Dental Hygienists week taking place April 4-10, 2020 and the green and gold lights for “Green Shirt Day” scheduled for Tuesday, April 7. Green Shirt Day was created to honour, remember, and recognize all the victims and families of the Humboldt Broncos fatal crash and to continue the legacy of player Logan Boulet by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ donors.
To learn more about what the City of Trail is doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, see www.trail.ca/COVID-19.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a COVID-19 telephone information line at: 1-833-784-4397.
If you think you may have come into contact with COVID-19 or are showing symptoms, CALL 8-1-1 FOR ADVICE.
newsroom@trailtimes.ca
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