Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is also known as Idiopathic or primary Parkinsonism / hypo kinetic rigid syndrome / paralysis agitans.

It is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, typically affecting individuals in the sixth decade of their lives. The degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (which results in a depletion of dopamine in the system) an accumulation of a protein known as "Lewy body" is the primary reason for this disease.

Source: https://www.drprempillay.org/id/brain/parkinsons-disease/

SYMPTOMS

• Bradykinesia/ incredibly slow movement

• Trouble initiating movement/ changing direction

• mask-like face (reduced/ absolutely no facial expressions)

• Rigidity

• Depression

• Constipation

• Tremors

• Loss of libido

• Difficulty in urination/high risk of urinary tract infection

• Orthostatic hypotension (fluctuations in blood pressure in response to change in body position, ex. standing upright after laying supine)

• Loss of cognitive function

The list of symptoms is endless & this is a very debilitating illness which requires lots of care and attention. Patients who live by themselves & have no one to look after them often have poor prognosis & in fact the disease also progresses for them at a much faster rate.

TREATMENT / MANAGEMENT IN SIDDHA MEDICINE:

In Siddha Medicine, we focus on treating the symptoms of the patient to give the patient a much-needed relief. Symptoms like rigidity & tremors diminish the quality of one's life to a great extent and such symptoms can be treated with external therapies like podi thimirthal.

Podi thimirthal is the therapy in which medicate powders are applied with pressure on patient's body, which aims to active myofacial structures underlying the skin, providing a positive feedback loop that restores function & movement.

Apart from this, we also focus on Varmam Thokkanam therapy which covers techniques that are performed by a siddha physician on the head and neck over a course of 15-days. This treats the accompanied symptoms like tremor, depression, insomnia, diminished sense of taste/smell, etc.

Medicines like poonaikaali choornam, thanga parpam, muthu parpam, amukkara choornam, and many more are prescribed for patients, based on their specific needs. In Singapore, we are seeing more of such cases & it is important to identify early so that medical intervention can be done in time to prevent unnecessary rapid progression & complications from arising.

Take care of the elderly in your life & keep a look out of the symptoms mentioned above.