Find out more about our Academic Medical Centre and efforts in Academic Medicine
Academic Medicine Executive Committee (AM EXCO)
Find out more about what JOAM do to support AM initiatives
Find out more about the Office of Duke-NUS Affairs and Study Trip to Duke Durham
Guidelines, forms, and templates for Academic Medicine.
Parkinson disease (PD) affects the nervous system that controls movement. There is no cure and it gets worse over time, but treatment can help manage some of the symptoms. However, after a few years of taking medication, some patients experience fluctuation of symptoms in between medication doses, known as the ‘on’ and ‘off’ phenomenon.Motor (movement) symptoms are the main signs of PD. These include the four S’s:
Besides motor symptoms, PwP also experience:
'ON' STATE
'OFF' STATE
Planning activities according to the medication ‘on/off’ timings helps to reduce stress and frustration that can result from living with PD.
Professor Louis Tan, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology and Parkinson Disease & Movement Disorders Programme Director at NNI, explains, “Initially, transition from the ‘on’ to ‘off’ state is gradual and predictable. However, as the disease progresses, it may occur more frequently throughout the day. Patients should seek medical advice to address this.”This article first appeared in NeusLink Issue 14 - click to download!Check out other related articles:
Creating A Routine That Works for You
How to Manage 'On' and 'Off' Symptoms
Parkinson's Disease: Exercise Minimises Symptoms
Leisure Activities for People with Parkinson's
Parkinson Disease: Speech Therapy Can Help
Parkinson's Disease: Music Therapy Can Help Patients Speak and Walk Better
Exercises for People with Parkinson's Disease
Tags: