Is parkinson's not the end?

End Stage of Parkinson's Disease

At the beginning of the Parkinson's disease, the symptoms are mild but as it progresses towards the end stages the symptoms become more severe. In the first stages slight tremors, forgetfulness and fatigue is observed. As the disease progresses to its next stages, the symptoms like loss of balance, rigidity (Muscle stiffness) and walking problems are observed. These symptoms are often noticeable to family members or friends. In the next stages, the people find so much problem in balancing themselves that they gradually fall. A change in handwriting and speech is also observed.

In the fourth and fifth stages of Parkinson's disease, the symptoms become worse. By this time, the symptoms become so severe that the person is completely disabled and has to completely depend on some one else. Muscles become so stiff that the movements become slow and the person is unable to perform his daily tasks. As the disease comes to its end stage or final stage, it is developed fully.

The end stage takes over all the physical movements of a person. The person is not able to take care of himself. He is unable to walk or stand and is restricted to chair or bed. They lose their urinary and bowel control and can't even turn around by themselves. The speech becomes very slurred. They find problems in speaking and can take long time in expressing themselves as it might take time for the thoughts to reach words.

The person with end stage of Parkinson's disease can't swallow the food due to the choking. The mouth becomes dry. Sometimes the food can even enter into the lungs, which can cause breathing problems. In some cases with the end stages of the disease a feeding tube is inserted for feeding the things. Hallucinations are also observed in some people.

Here is the brief review of all what can happen in the end stages of Parkinson's disease. End stage of Parkinson's disease may include one or more of the following symptoms:

* Progressive decline in the symptoms despite medical treatments
* Progressive weight loss
* Frequent hospitalization
* Decreased appetite
* Repeated infections
* Trouble in breathing
* Trouble in swallowing
* Decline in mental status
* Weakness
* Drowsiness
* Fatigue

At the end stages of the disease person requires a constant nursing care. The end-stage of the Parkinson's disease can lead to pneumonia, choking, severe depression, and even death. Though there is no cure for the disease, use of medication is the most common way of slowing down the progression of the disease and keeping the patient healthy.

teokimhoe,

I have always respected the things you post. not only do you have PD, but you are very intelligent and share info that heretofore has been somewhat helpful. BUT, WHY DID you post this??? Did someone ask you about the end ??? IF so, a private email would have been more appropriate.

Having seen my dad go thru the last years of his life and being there to help as his caregiver, I am not so terribly upset by what you wrote. I also KNOW for sure NOT all of those things happen to everyone. PD doesn't kill, it's effect on the body does. As others have stated.........the state of mind the PD patient has is more than half the battle. If determination to postpone the progression is not there, then one is just sitting around waiting for the next symptom. I truly believe we have some, albeit slight, control over our PD.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Please be more selective in the subject matter of your posts in the future.

aunti j