In recent years, medical experts have noted an increase in the number of Filipinos suffering from Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance.
According to a study presented by Dr. Raymond Rosales, more than one million Filipinos are now afflicted with the disease, a number that is still largely underestimated since many cases remain unreported.
Dr. Rosales is from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
“The aging population in the future will be greatly afflicted with the disease. That is why we have to make new methods of treatment available,” he added.
One of these new methods is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, which involves implanting a device to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. DBS was first introduced by the Philippine Movement Disorder Surgery (Philmove) last year. Philmove performed the first successful DBS operation in the country on a 68-year-old patient.
“We are not claiming that DBS can cure the patient because the disease is progressive,” said Dr.Kelly Foote, an advocate of DBS surgery.. “However, it can significantly improve the patient’s involuntary twitching, tremors, stiffness or slowness of movements by as much as 90 percent or, [in some of] the cases, even 100 percent.”
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