“Parkinson disease (PD), along with other neuro degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease and motor neuron disease), is expected to surpass cancer as the second most common cause of death by the year 2040. Assuming that 1% of the population over 60 years has PD, we can expect about 930,000 PD patients in 2010 and more than 1 million (1,130,000) PD cases by the year 2016 in India,” says Dr. Rupam Borgohain, Asst.Professor of Neurology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences & Governing Council member of PDMDS.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disabling illness of the brain with a worldwide occurrence. ‘Its prevalence increases with advancing age, affecting nearly 1 in 100 individuals over the age of 65 years. Men and women are equally affected", says Dr B.S Singhal, Hon. Secretary of the PDMDS.

A symposium "Living with Parkinson’s Disease" will be organized on the 7th World Parkinson day International Symposium on 6th and 7th December, 2003 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai.

A debilitating disorder, PD at its worst is seen in tremors, poor body balance, slow movements, uncontrolled salivating, depression, sleep disturbances, speech, breathing & swallowing problems, blurred vision, constipation, dementia etc. The disease usually manifests on one side of the anatomy and over the years slowly progresses to pervade the whole body.

Loving support from a care provider and other family members will help an individual adjust better to having Parkinsons. Family members can help by being knowledgeable about Parkinsons, giving encouragement, participating in exercise programs, and keeping the person fully involved in family activities. The family can also play a major role in helping to deal with feelings of depression, anger, or dependency. Often medication can help treat the depression. Some spouses and family members may have difficulty in accepting that their loved one has Parkinson’s, and may feel resentful or frightened. Joining a support group or speaking to a counsellor for Parkinson’s, or talking informally with family members of others with patients can help to cope with these feelings.

PDMDS is an all India body serving to link various support groups for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorder in India, with the objective of improving the care and treatment of patients and to disseminate knowledge amongst the medical community, public, patients and caretaker.