Mumbai Hospital Leads Parkinson’s Awareness Drive on World Parkinson’s Day, Advocating Early Diagnosis and Comprehensive Care

Mumbai, April 11, 2024 – On World Parkinson’s Day, Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central hosted a Parkinson’s disease awareness workshop, its symptoms, and available treatment options. Dr. Sheetal Goyal, Senior Neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, led the discussion, highlighting key aspects of Parkinson’s disease and the hospital’s approach to managing this condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. She elaborated on the presentation of Parkinson’s disease, emphasizing its hallmark symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowed movement), and postural instability.

During the briefing, Dr. Goyal also addressed the challenge of differentiating Parkinson’s disease from other conditions that mimic its symptoms. “Parkinson’s disease shares symptoms with several other neurological disorders, including essential tremor, multiple system atrophy, and drug-induced Parkinsonism,” she explained. “This similarity underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis by a qualified neurologist.”

Recognizing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is crucial for timely intervention and management. Dr. Goyal highlighted common early symptoms such as subtle changes in handwriting, decreased sense of smell, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. “Awareness of these early signs can prompt individuals to seek medical attention sooner, facilitating early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment,” she emphasized.

Despite advancements in medical knowledge, Parkinson’s disease is often missed or diagnosed late. She attributed this to various factors including the non-specific nature of early symptoms, lack of awareness among both patients and healthcare providers, and cultural stigmas associated with neurological disorders. “Improving public education and healthcare infrastructure for neurological conditions is essential to address this issue,” Dr. Goyal remarked.

Discussing treatment options, she highlighted that besides traditional medication, several non-pharmacological interventions can help manage Parkinson’s disease effectively. “Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and deep brain stimulation are among the adjunctive treatments that can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease,” she noted.

Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central is committed to providing comprehensive care for Parkinson’s disease patients. Dr. Goyal emphasized the hospital’s multidisciplinary approach, which integrates medical expertise, rehabilitation services, and patient support programs. “At Wockhardt Hospitals, we do Advanced level treatments for Parkinson’s disease include the use of an Apomorphine pump and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). We also prioritize individualized care and holistic management to optimize outcomes for our Parkinson’s disease patients,” she affirmed.

The awareness workshop at Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central served as a platform to enhance awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Goyal reiterated the importance of early recognition, accurate diagnosis, and comprehensive management in improving the lives of individuals affected by this challenging condition.

“On World Parkinson’s Day, it is imperative to raise awareness about this debilitating condition and emphasize the significance of early diagnosis and comprehensive care. At Wockhardt Hospitals, we are committed to supporting Parkinson’s disease patients on their journey towards better health and well-being.”