Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist at the recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility, speaks about her profession at the facility located on 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. less Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist at the recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility, speaks about her profession at the facility located on 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., ... more The recently opened Yale Medicine Neurology at Greenwich Hospital facility located at 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Conn., Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
GREENWICH — About 20 percent of the town’s population is over the age of 65, according to census figures. The good news in demographic trends is that people are living longer, into their 80s or 90s. The not-so-good news is that more neurological maladies are occurring in the older population as it ages.
The field of neurology has been seeing a demand for services by
more and more patients, at the same time that new forms of medical
interventions and advances are making the quality of life better for people
coping with neurological issues like Parkinson’s disease.
“It is going up because people are living longer. We don’t know
what causes it, but the longer people live, the more likely they are to develop
(a neurological disorder),” said Dr. Alice Rusk, a neurologist who opened
started a new medical facility in Greenwich — Yale Medicine Neurology at
Greenwich Hospital — on Holly Hill Lane. The new unit, with Dr. Kunal Desai,
also is offering care for neurological sub-specialties — including headaches
and pain, cognitive disorders, movement disorders and balance issues.
The public also is more educated about neurological issues than in
the past, leading to more people seeking treatment.
More Information
While
there are no guarantees to good health or longevity, neurologists advise the
public to follow certain lifestyle practices for better brain health. Dr. Alice
Rusk cites these recommendations, which are adapted from the American Academy
of Neurology:
* Regular
exercise. “It doesn’t have to be intense. Even regular walking. ”
*Staying
active cognitively. “Challenging yourself to learn new things, even as you age.
Learning a new language, learning a new card game, new puzzles.”
*Eliminating
toxins. “The main one is alcohol. Or reducing it. As you age, you no longer
metabolize alcohol as well as you did when you were young.”
*Social
interaction. “We’re a language-based people. Maintaining language function and
social interaction, it increases brain function.”
“There’s more awareness —
the awareness from patients, and their families, they’re more aware when they
see changes,” said Rusk.
People might not, however,
be aware of how much the field has advanced. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is far
from a death sentence — the ailment can be managed with proper medical care and
changes to behavior.
“We have more things we can
do, we can be proactive, than people used to think — medication and treatments.
And lifestyle changes,” said Rusk, who is the head of neurology at Greenwich
Hospital.
It is important for people
to get the diagnoses and not ignore symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which is
characterized by tremors and balance problems. “Depression and anxiety can be
part of the condition and should be treated,” Rusk added. “It’s often the first
symptom of Parkinson’s.”
She continues to hope that
a cure for Parkinson’s disease will be found in the near- to medium-term
future.
”But we first have to find
out what causes it before we can cure it,” said Rusk.
Until then, people can live
with the disease for many years.
”And everybody is
different, it’s a spectrum,” the neurologist said. She referenced the actor
Michael J. Fox, who has been very public about his life with Parkinson’s. “He’s
done amazingly well, and he’s had it for over 30 years. Good medical
management,” she said.
Until a cure for
Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease is found, patients themselves can make a
difference.
“We’re so much better off
than we were ten years ago,” the neurologist said. “And people who are
proactive do so much better than people who ignore it.”
http://m.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/local/article/Greenwich-Hospital-opens-new-neurology-center-12502112.php
No comments:
Post a Comment