Parkinsons Disease Affects 10 Million Worldwide
Parkinsons disease is a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable or unintended movements, stiffness and difficulties with balance and coordination in more than 10 million patients worldwide. Common treatments include medications to treat the symptoms of Parkinsons disease, but there is no known cure for the condition.
A study published by the Journal of Parkinsons Disease in 2020 determined that nearly 10% of Parkinsons patients in Germany, where cannabis has been approved as a treatment for the condition since 2017, use cannabis to treat their symptoms. But with an almost inexhaustible variety of marijuana strains and other cannabis products available from both licensed and illicit sources, choosing a formulation that will consistently provide relief can be challenging.
There are over a trillion possible combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes that could be derived from the cannabis plant, but only a handful are the optimal combination to treat Parkinsons, said Lecht. Our mission is to discover the correct combination, and to identify the precise ratio so all active ingredients interact in the right way with each other. We can then leverage our Unlokt technology to make a product that will deliver the precise combination of cannabinoids and terpenes to patients quickly, safely and effectively.
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Learn
They Want You To Know What Parkinsons:
- is not just an older persons disease, but can also affect younger people.
- is not always a person who has the shakes
- drains my energy and affects everything I do
- symptoms are not always visible
- is not always easy to explain
- can affect the whole family
- is not a death sentence, but can make life more difficult
- limited my career opportunities and reduced my workload
- has reduced my EQ and confidence
- has made mixing in crowded rooms stressful
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How To Observe #worldparkinsonsday
Many health organizations and support groups hold a variety of events on this day. These events include fundraisers for Parkinsons disease research, webinars, informational displays, and Art for Parkinsons workshops.
To participate:
- Do something special for someone with Parkinsons disease or their caregiver.
- Learn about famous people with Parkinsons, such as Muhammad Ali, Neil Diamond, Michael J. Fox, Billy Graham, and Linda Ronstadt.
- Watch a film about Parkinsons, such as Never Steady Never Still, Kinetics, and Ride with Larry.
- If you know someone who shows early signs of Parkinsons disease, encourage them to see their doctor.
- Spread awareness for this day on social media by posting an image of a red tulip along with #WorldParkinsonsDay.
Join A World Parkinsons Day Activity
Activities are put on all over the world to promote this important cause and the opportunity to participate is open to any and all who want to help in this effort. So get online and check out whats happening in your local area. From lectures and educational events to fund-raisers, theres bound to be something where support can be shown!
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Future Of Pd Research
Your participation in research can help us provide improved treatments and care for all people with Parkinsons today and create a future where no one lives with Parkinsons.
PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinsons Disease is a national initiative that offers genetic testing for clinically relevant Parkinson’s-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinsons. Learn more and sign up today.
World Parkinsons Disease Day
Today on World Parkinsons day I am sharing the story of one of my patients well call Jack , who has been living with Parkinsons disease for 15 years.
The tremor, rigidity and slowed movement has affected many of his daily activities, including his ability to brush his teeth.
The first time I met Jack, he was brought into the clinic in a wheelchair by his carer, his gaze was attentive and thoughtful as I explained the state of his oral health and how I could help him. I noticed he was wearing knee pads and asked why. Jack said, because my light bulb needed changing so I wore knee pads just in case I fell off the ladder. His carer smiled and said, Jacks the type of person who would much rather wear knee pads and take half and hour to change the lighbulb himself, than get me to do it in 5 minutes.
While the Parkinsons disease has affected Jacks life in many ways, he does not let it define who he is. Jack is still the resilient, fiercely independent, and reliable person he always has been.
Treat the patient, not the disease.
People are defined by their humanity, not by their disease.
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Colorado Company To Research Cannabis As A Treatment For Parkinsons Disease
Colorado-based Day Three Labs announced this week that the worlds first government-sponsored cannabis technology incubator will fund the companys research into using cannabis as a treatment for Parkinsons disease.
Day Three Labs is a cannabinoid consumer products ingredient manufacturer specializing in the development and commercialization of novel cannabis products with its headquarters in Denver and a research facility in Israel, where regulations make studying cannabis far easier than in the United States. The firm is the only company to have passed the first phase of the CanNegev program, a cannabis technology incubator that receives funding from the Israeli government.
Colorado-based Day Three Labs announced this week that it has received funding from Israeli cannabis … technology incubator CanNegev to study cannabis as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
getty
Research shows that cannabis has the ability to ease Parkinsons symptoms in patients, but to date, no one has been able to decipher the exact combination of cannabinoids and terpenes for a consistent, reliable, and repeatable remedy, Dr. Shimon Lecht, chief innovation officer at Day Three Labs, said in a statement from the company on Monday.
It Can Be A Lonely Journey’
I think the hardest part of being a bystander when someone you love has a degenerative illness is watching their kind, funny, clever, energetic, thoughtful selves slowly dissolve until they’re nothing of the person that makes them except a shell of what they used to be.
That’s what Parkinson’s, and subsequently Dementia, did to my grandfather.
He fought it every step of the way.
He relearned everyday tasks, stubbornly insisted on taking his insulin injections himself, and hand-writing addresses on envelopes right up until he could no longer hold a pen.
Which is perhaps why his weakness hit us that much harder.
Parkinson’s can be a debilitating and frustrating journey.
“Symptoms like tremors or difficulty in walking, or speech can make the person self-conscious and develop low self-confidence or low self-esteem once they are diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” says Tejali, who is a part of a team of psychologists, neurologists, social workers and volunteers that form the network of support for patients and caregivers at PDMDS, a pan India organisation spread across 13 states, which aims to help improve the quality of life of, not only patients of Parkinson’s, but also their caregivers, free of charge.
“We give people with Parkinson’s a safe space to know that they are not alone in this journey, and it also motivate them to exercise together in a group of people who understand them.”
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World Parkinsons Day 202: Hope Has Not Been Canceled
There is no medicine like hope. Orison Swett Marden
If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today Nhat Hanh
Introduction: I have been putting the 100th change/addition/modification to a manuscript that was just submitted for publication. The manuscript concerns the role of SARS-CoV-2 to promote neurodegeneration in Parkinsons . And then I remembered that Monday was World Parkinsons Day.
Hope is passion for what is possible. Soren Kierkegaard
Why am I so Busy?: And again, it seems there is no time available right now to write on my blog. So just teaching my undergraduate level pathobiology course and submitting some papers for publication . Also, just trying to retire , buy a house , and exercise more frequently, and I will remain forever a beginning guitar player unless I make time to practice. In addition, I am trying to help my Comp Sci student group work on our interactive mindfulness meditation project . I am also trying to recruit a graphics artist for a book Ive got an idea for dealing with Parkinsons. And yes, I am trying to kick-start my non-profit for Parkinsons. Finally, trying to make time for Susan and our personal life and making time to play golf in the spring. First, however, it is essential to say a few words about World Parkinsons Day.
What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life. Emil Brunner
What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise Oscar Wilde
What Caregivers Should Know
Speaking to FIT, Tejali points out some things that caregivers should know before getting into it with a loved one who has been recently diagnosed.
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Don’t compare
“Parkinson’s affects different people differently. Some people will have some symptoms while others may not. My advice would be don’t compare your loved ones’ journey to that of someone else’s.”
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Commit for the long haul
“Caregivers must prepare themselves and understand that it is a continuous thing because Parkinson’s is a progressive condition. It’s not that you have to take care of the person only for a month or so,” she says.
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Acceptance is key
“With Parkinson’s, because it is a progressive condition, and there is no cure, a lot of times the diagnosis comes as a shock.”
Parkinson’s is a progressive illness. As a caregiver, you must be prepared to be in it for the long haul.
“So, acceptance is very important,” says Tejali. “As a caregiver also, it helps if you can help your loved ones accept this condition and continue with their daily routine.”
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Don’t restrict their activity
“We see some cases where the patients have stopped socialising, and so have the caregivers. They just don’t let the person with Parkinson’s do anything. At home or outside.”
“This might lead to loneliness and depression in both of them. So I don’t think Parkinson’s should limit them from having a productive life.”
According to Parkinsons.org, exercise can not only help manage some symptoms of PD but also provide neuroprotection.
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Be honest
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Learn More And Share About Parkinsons Disease
Many people do not understand what Parkinsons is, or are unaware of how to identify it. In the interest of promoting awareness of this disease, a simplified description follows:
Parkinsons disease is a disorder that results in the degeneration of the central nervous system, and directly impacts those nerves that handle motor functions for the body as a whole. As the disease advances in a person with PD, it becomes apparent from the slowness of the body and the increasing stiffness of the limbs that there is a developing problem. The limbs will begin to shake uncontrollably as it gets further on and eventually an entire scope of additional symptoms will develop as more and more motor functions are impacted. Sufferers are often tired, and memory problems become more apparent as time goes on.
Make A Donation To A Parkinsons Disease Cause
Those who might not have the time to organize a full event can still give a donation through a number of different viable organizations that promote the cause to fight against Parkinsons Disease. Check out the information and opportunities for some of these organizations:
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research. Set up by the famous actor who has the disease, this foundation promotes research to slow the progression and ease symptoms for those with PD.
- Parkinsons Foundation. This organization works to improve care and advance research toward a cure for Parkinsons Disease.
- European Parkinsons Disease Association . Working toward ensuring that all people with Parkinsons live a full life while supporting the search for a cure.
- American Parkinsons Disease Association. The largest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting Parkinsons Disease.
No matter what activities are chosen, remember that this day is dedicated to an open awareness of this disease as well as making an effort to help support those groups and organizations that are intent on eradicating or controlling this illness. So on World Parkinsons Day, make sure to talk about it to those people in life, and encourage them to join in on the fight!
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World Parkinsons Day History
The European Parkinsons Disease Association and the World Health Organization established World Parkinsons Day on April 11th, 1997. April 11th is the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson. He is the first physician to recognize Parkinsons as a medical condition. He published an essay in 1817 called, An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. During the 9th World Parkinsons Disease Day Conference in 2005, the red tulip was adopted as the official symbol for the disease.
Hold A Fundraiser For World Parkinsons Day
What can you do to help out on this important day? As mentioned above there are numerous marathons and walk-a-thons that take place in various cities to help generate donations to support the ongoing research into this condition. This would be a great time to work together with various friends, family or coworkers to help organize refreshment stands or bake sales to produce more funds that can be donated to Parkinsons Disease research groups.
It also might be a great idea to organize larger events at some local parks, or even with some local schools since getting children involved and aware is a great idea! This would be an ideal opportunity to work together with teachers and schools to create a day where there are educational courses about the disease, and musical performances to generate money for donations.
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Celebrating World Parkinsons Day
Xandrina AlldayTechnology Networkseditorial policies
James Parkinson may not be a name that youre familiar with, he was a neurologist, scientist, geologist and activist who was the first to report paralysis agitans in 1817 now known as Parkinsons disease. April 11, 2021, marks World Parkinsons Day, a day designed and led by the Parkinson’s community, for the Parkinson’s community and their supporters. It is a day that is celebrated each year on James Parkinsons birthday, in honor of him and his discoveries.Technology Networks wanted to acknowledge the day, in efforts to share the amazing research and discoveries that have come to light over recent years to enable progression for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
We hope you enjoy viewing these pieces and let us know if any of them resonate with you.
Its Time To Loudly Turn The Focus Of The World Onto Parkinsons
Looking beyond the coronavirus pandemic, our readersemphasised the need to increase public and political awareness of Parkinsonsas an urgent health challenge.
Cherry Vogt-Ward, founder and president of The Barbados Parkinsons Trust and Support Group, who diagnosed with Parkinsons 13 years ago, said: My hope is that governments in the developing countries, especially in the Caribbean and Latin American nations, take more responsibility in spreading Parkinsons awareness and commit to offering the best possible care for people suffering from these challenges.
Dominic Graham, operations director at the European Parkinsons Disease Association said:
I think the Parkinsons community needs resources to helpthem manage the social and physical restrictions currently in place across theworld. Fortunately, this seems to be happening with all sorts of exerciseprogrammes, webinars, videos etc being made available. But it also needs apolitical voice to move the needs of the Parkinsons community further up theagenda. This wont be easy with parliaments the world over in chaos, but itsvital our community is heard.
If a pandemic like this doesnt make us question how welive our lives and support vulnerable people better then I struggle tothink of what will.
Well be sharing more videos on and
How have you been affected by the coronavirus?
For more information about Covid-19 please visit the EPDA website.
Read more:
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What Sparks You To Live Well
JILL ATER, Tacoma, Washington
My spark to keep fighting Parkinsons is our desire to travel and inspire others, who believe, wrongly, that they cant travel internationally with Parkinsons. My husband Alan and I have over 1000 followers on Instagram and Facebook who enjoy our world adventures virtually.
Kerry designed artwork based on The Spark symbol.
I am the flint and Parkinsons is the stone
When the stone strikes the flint, it releases a tiny little spark
My mission as an advocate is to gently fan the spark
Until it reaches its full potential and becomes a flame
My flame will burn so brightly other flames will join me
Together we can set the Parkinsons world on fire and change the world
Be the spark that ignites the world around youto join together as one brightly burning flame
I can be the spark that starts
the chain reaction and changes
the world of Parkinsons
Dont hide your spark
let it shine brightly
for all the world to see
the face of Parkinsons
Joe van Koeverden, Peterborough, Ontario, CA:
Joe designed and printed shirts using The Spark as inspiration.
Tom Cosentino, Ocean View, DE:
Hear Tom share what The Spark means to him.