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Parkinson’s disease needs multi-disciplinary treatment that takes into account not only physical disorders but also social complications created in its wake, said doctors at a workshop in the city.
“A team of specialists, including neurologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, psychologists and specially trained nurses are now involved in treatment of Parkinson’s disease,” said K. Ray Chaudhuri, head, National Parkinsons Foundation, Centre of Excellence, Kings College Hospital, London. He was in the city to attend the weeklong workshop at Medica Superspecialty Hospital.
Apart from movement disorders, some common side effects of the disease are pain, problems in sleeping, dementia and depression.
“The children of many elderly patients are working outside and there is lack of quality care,” said city-based neurosurgeon L.N. Tripathi.
According to doctors, 12 out of 100,000 people in Calcutta suffer from Parkinson’s disease. One to two per cent of the population above 60 years are affected by the disease.
The doctors also discussed new drugs being used in treating Parkinson’s disease. Apomorphine and Levodopa Infusion are two of the popular drugs in the UK. Apomorphine works like insulin. A pump, attached to the patient’s body, administers it for a period of 12 to 24 hours. Levodopa Infusion is administered with the help of a pump.
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