Prisma Health Magazine

PRISMA HEALTH MAGAZINE

dealing with motor fluctuations and involuntary movements. He said ongoing studies are looking at using DBS earlier, but he pointed out that there are risks such as infection, bleeding in the brain, stroke and equipment malfunctions. Side effects can include abnormal movements and sensations and worsening of speech and balance. According to Dr. Revilla, Parkinson’s disease is hereditary for only around 5% of patients. He said some genes have been connected to the disease, but he said it’s not practical to test for them because, in most cases, they are not the cause of Parkin- son’s. He added that some studies have shown that risk factors for Parkinson’s might include exposure to welding fumes, working with pesticides and exposure to manganese. He said well water also could be a factor. For many people, sharing their lives with others afflicted with the same disease is almost as important as the physical aspect of fighting the effects of Parkinson’s. Support groups are active in the greater Charleston area and in Summerville, both meeting once a month and both led by retired accountant Jay Phillips and his wife, retired physical therapist Marilyn Phillips. Jay maintains an email list of around 400 addresses and regu- larly sends out newsletters with information about upcoming meetings and seminars. There’s a good reason the Phillips’ are active in the Parkin- son’s community. Jay was diagnosed with the disease in 2010

when they lived in Virginia. His neurologist told him he had Par- kinson’s, but that was about it. He didn’t offer any information concerning support groups or exercise programs. There’s also a good reason they chose South Carolina as their new home. They wanted to be near MUSC, where Professor of Neurology Dr. Vanessa Hinson is the director of the university’s highly-rated Health Movement Disorders Program. The Phillips’ contribution to the fight against Parkinson’s extends well beyond putting together newsletters and organiz- ing meetings. Jay was chairman of the first Moving Day – “A block party for Parkinson’s disease” – in 2018 and again in 2019, events that raised more than $145,000 each. “It’s for family and friends who support someone with Par- kinson’s,” Marilyn said. “It’s a festival, and it’s energizing and educating.” Marilyn pointed out that just like Parkinson’s patients, their partners need support and encouragement. They meet the second Saturday of each month at Ms. Rose’s in West Ashley – without their spouses. “We need a place for community,” she commented. “What we say stays there. We’re the only ones who get it.” To learn more about exercise programs and Parkinson’s support groups in the Upstate, get in touch with the

Greenville Area Parkinson Society by calling 864-905-2574 or visiting www.gapsonline.org. PARKINSON'S By the Numbers

NEARLY 1 MILLION people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Approximately 60,000 AMERICANS are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year. and therapeutic surgery can cost UP TO $100,000 per person. MORE THAN 10 MILLION people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. The incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age, but an estimated 4% of people with the disease are diagnosed BEFORE AGE 50 . Men are 1.5 TIMES more likely to have Parkinson’s disease than women. Medications alone cost an average of $2,500 A YEAR,

The combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s, including treatment, Social Security payments and lost income, is estimated to be NEARLY $52 BILLION per year in the United States alone.

Source: Parkinson’s Foundation.

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