At a recent Parkinson’s event I heard a person say, “Most of us know as much about Parkinson’s disease as our neurologist.”
I chuckled about that comment for two reasons. My first thought was that it was ridiculous that a person could think they know more than a neurologist who has more than seven years of specific medical training. Then, I caught myself realizing that it is ridiculous to think a physician, who has never lived with PD, could claim to know more about the condition than someone who lives with it constantly. The ability of a patient to understand what a physician says is called health literacy.
This article on the WeMove.org Web site tutors people about developing health literacy. One of your best tools are questions you ask your physician. The article suggests questions anyone can use with their physician to understand their condition, symptoms, treatments, and possible side effects.
Indeed, most people with Parkinson’s I meet have an amazing level of medical literacy. Most have learned this on their own. Health literacy becomes a weapon in a battle against a formidable foe.
People who understand the relationship between Sinemet and an inhibitor, and how to best time those medications, have an advantage over PD. Those who research to find exercises that liberate muscles and nerves, find an advantage that they need. People who attend support groups and learn from others who share similar symptoms, learn the secrets to brighter days and greater ability. Here at My Parkinson’s Info, we work hard to be a source of the information you need.
New Tai Chi Fact Sheet
The National Institutes of Health recently created a tai chi fact sheet. This new backgrounder provides a general overview of tai chi and suggests some resources you can use to find more information.
Tai Chi’s effects include flexibility, strength and balance . It is not an intense cardiovascular exercise, so it is ideal for people who have trouble with orthostatic hypotension and unpredictable blood pressure.
