On November 4th, Bob Sahm, a self-described movement disorders enthusiast, will run the last 26.2 miles of his current goal which is to finish in the 2018 New York City Marathon. It has been seven years since his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease at the age of 50 and many aspects of his life have changed. . . for the good! This is so not by accident, he intentionally chose to fight Parkinson's progressive attempts to succumb him. He is not discouraged even though he now has a noticeable right side tremor, his handwriting is nearly gone, and he has become more deliberate about how he multitasks. In November he plans to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgery to implant a device that sends electrical signals to brain areas responsible for body movement. DBS can help reduce the symptoms of tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking problems caused by Parkinson's disease. What does the 57-year-old recommend to others to do?First, PD resisters should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to intense aerobic exercise. This could be brisk walking, running, indoor cycling, outdoor cycling, gym class, or swimming. Bob runs. In 2010 Bob joined the Round Rock Fit marathon training program and has since completed over 10 marathons. He asserts that the group provides for built-in socialization, accountability, and inspiration.
Second, include in the exercise regimen training that strengthens the core while stimulating the left/right hemispheres of the brain. In 2015 Bob added non-contact boxing with 4:13 FITNESS. This is also known as Rock Steady Boxing. Yoga class can also be added to reduce rigidity and stiffness.
Next, since PD can take away a person's sense of timing, music has been considered useful to supplement this loss. Bob received customized music playlists that help him maintain a constant pace while running from "Team I Am I Can," a not-for-profit exercise program based in Austin which assists people who have a diagnosis that impacts their mobility.
Most importantly, seek out opportunities to socialize with others who have PD. There are a number of support groups in central Texas for those who have the disease and also those who are impacted by PD. These include the Georgetown Area Parkinson's Support (GAPS), the Capital Area Parkinson's Society (CAPS) and the Austin Active Young Onset Parkinson's Meetup group.
Finally, he advocates that because a cure of PD is closer than ever before, resisters should actively help in the search for a cure by participating in research trials or by supporting fundraising efforts. Bob joined Team Fox athletes in 2016 the grassroots community fundraising program at The Michael J. Fox Foundation. To date, Team Fox has raised over $70 million for Parkinson's research. Team Fox has introduced Bob to other like-minded athletes including those who also have Parkinson's Disease. Bob is using the New York City Marathon as a cause for donors to contribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Team Fox has set to raise over $650,000 during this single event. Donors can give by going to Bob's fundraising page at https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/tcs-nyc-marathon-2018/goBobSahm
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Background
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60. While the average age at onset is 60, people have been diagnosed as young as 18. Estimates of the number of people living with the disease therefore vary, but recent research indicates that at least one million people in the United States, and more than five million worldwide, have Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease was first characterized extensively by an English doctor, James Parkinson, in 1817. Today, we understand Parkinson's disease to be a disorder of the central nervous system that results from the loss of cells in various parts of the brain, including a region called the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra cells produce dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain that allow for coordination of movement. Loss of dopamine causes neurons to fire without normal control, leaving patients less able to direct or control their movement. Parkinson's disease is one of several diseases categorized by clinicians as movement disorders.
The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, although research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If a continuum existed, with exclusively genetic causes at one end and exclusively environmental causes at the other, different Parkinson's patients would likely fall at many different places along that continuum. People are usually more familiar with the motor symptoms of PD, as these are the signs of the disease that are noticeable from the outside. These symptoms, shown as the "cardinal" symptoms of PD include slowness of movement, rigidity, resting tremor, impaired balance and coordination, gait problems and reduced facial expression. Non-motor symptoms may include a decline in ability to multi-task and/or concentrate; depression and anxiety; problems sleeping; low blood pressure when standing; constipation; speech and swallowing problems; and unexplained pains, drooling and smell loss.
