Parkinson’s Disease Insurance

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative condition brought on by nerve cell deterioration in the brain region, referred to as the substantia nigra, that regulates movement. These nerve cells waste away or suffer damage, reducing the capacity to make the crucial neurotransmitter dopamine. According to studies, Parkinson's symptoms appear in people whose substantia nigra dopamine-generating cells have been lost by 80% or more.

To assist regulate the thousands of sensory and muscle neurons engaged in motion, dopamine often works in a careful balance with various neurotransmitters. This equilibrium is upset when insufficient dopamine is present, which causes people with Parkinson’s Disease to experience several problems with coordination and movement. Although tremors are typical, the disease might also make you stiff or move more slowly.

Your face may not show symptoms in Parkinson's disease's initial stages. However, the symptoms may show up differently. For example, you might be unable to swing your arms while walking. Your speech could become slurred or muffled. As your illness advances over time, Parkinson's Disease symptoms get worse.

Although there is no absolute cure for Parkinson's Disease, medicines may greatly reduce your symptoms. Occasionally, your doctor may advise surgery to control specific brain areas and alleviate your symptoms.

After getting a thorough understanding of what Parkinson’s Disease is, let us look at the types of Parkinson’s.

The kind of treatment a patient receives when diagnosed with Parkinson’s depends greatly on the disease's variant. As per studies, a person can be diagnosed with three basic types of Parkinson’s. The symptoms and associated therapies will depend on this.
The types of Parkinson’s Disease are given below.

• Vascular Parkinsonism - Arteriosclerotic parkinsonism, also referred to as vascular parkinsonism, affects persons whose brains receive insufficient blood flow. This variant of parkinsonism can occasionally arise in those who have suffered a minor stroke.

• Idiopathic Parkinson's - Idiopathic Parkinson's, usually referred to as Parkinson's in general, affects most patients with parkinsonism. Idiopathic denotes an uncertain cause of the disease.

• Familial Parkinson’s - The majority of Parkinson's instances are irregular, which means they are not hereditary and are brought on by a complicated interaction of biological and ecological variables. However, it is thought that 10 to 15 per cent of Parkinson's cases are hereditary. These familial Parkinson's cases are brought on by DNA mutations transferred from genetic parents to offspring.

• Parkinson’s Caused By Medication - There are a few medicines that can give rise to Parkinson’s in a patient. The most common source of medicine-induced parkinsonism is neuroleptic medications, which disrupt the function of the brain's dopaminergic neurotransmitter and are prescribed to manage schizophrenia and similar psychotic diseases. Very rarely do the signs of medicine-induced Parkinsonism advance in the same manner as Parkinson's does. A small percentage of persons experience drug-induced parkinsonism, and the majority fully recuperate in months after ceasing their medication.

• Early-Onset Parkinson’s - Young-onset Parkinson's, often referred to as early-onset Parkinson's, is a specific condition that typically affects people between the ages of 21 and 40 or 50. Early-onset Parkinson's disease symptoms are comparable to idiopathic Parkinson's disease. However, they often worsen more slowly. Despite this, symptoms typically have a more severe emotional and interpersonal impact because patients are at the peak of their lives when they are diagnosed.

Knowing the different stages of Parkinson’s can help people better understand the patient's needs and thus provide them with the care they require. It also helps you understand how fast the condition is progressing and if there needs to be a change in treatment or medications.

The different stages of Parkinson’s Disease include;

• Stage 1- People experience mild symptoms and typically do not disrupt daily activities. Just one-half of the body shows tremors and related movement abnormalities. Modifications in posture, gait, and facial movements may also occur.

• Stage 2- The entire body shows symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and other movement problems. The person can live alone despite the longer and more demanding daily duties.

• Stage 3- This is thought to be mid-stage. Balance loss and sluggishness of movement are common. While not completely incapacitating, these symptoms seriously hamper daily tasks like getting dressed and eating. By stage three, falls become more frequent as well.

• Stage 4- The symptoms are serious and restrictive. Individuals may stand unaided, but moving about will probably require a walker. At this stage, a patient cannot be left to live alone and need someone to supervise their actions.

• Stage 5- Standing or walking may be impossible due to leg stiffness. The person is either bedridden or needs a wheelchair. Everything the person does requires round-the-clock professional care, making Parkinson’s Disease insurance coverage a necessity. Delusions and mental confusion could be experienced by the patient at this stage of the illness.

The lower ganglia, a region of our brain that regulates movement, experiences nerve cell impairment and/or death, resulting in the most noticeable signs and indications of Parkinson's Disease. These brain cells, or neurons, typically generate the crucial brain neurotransmitter dopamine. Movement issues linked to the condition are brought on by decreased dopamine production due to the neurons' degeneration or death. Scientists are still unsure of what causes neurons to degenerate.

Norepinephrine, the primary chemical transmitter of the human sympathetic neurological system, which regulates numerous bodily functions like pulse rate and blood pressure, is also lost in people with Parkinson's Disease. Some Parkinson's Disease non-movement symptoms, such as exhaustion, fluctuating blood pressure, slower digestion, and a sharp drop in blood pressure after rising from a sitting or reclining position, may be explained by the loss of norepinephrine.

Lewy bodies, peculiar masses of the protein alpha-synuclein, are seen in numerous brain cells of Parkinson's Disease patients. Alpha-synuclein has both normal and pathological functions, and researchers are working to understand better how these functions relate to the genetic abnormalities that cause Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's Disease.

A few occurrences of Parkinson's Disease can be linked to particular genetic alterations, and some cases of the condition seem to be inherited. This is interesting to see, given that while genetics play a part in Parkinson’s Disease, it is not usually seen as being transmitted from one family member to another.

Barring these causes of Parkinson’s, some risk factors could lead to the development of the disease in a person. If you wish to know what the risk factors are, have a look at the list given below.

• Age- Parkinson's Disease is a rare occurrence among young adults. It usually starts in mid or later life, and the likelihood increases as you get older. The disease typically impacts people 60 or older. Establishing family planning options may be aided by genetic counselling if a young person is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

• Being Exposed to Chemicals- Your risk of developing the disease may somewhat rise if you are constantly exposed to pesticides and herbicides.

• Heredity- The likelihood that you'll acquire Parkinson's increases if you have close family members who have the condition. Nevertheless, unless you have many family members who have Parkinson's Disease, your chances of developing the disease are still minimal.

• Sex- Parkinson's Disease affects men more frequently than women.

However, you need to be mindful that these are only risk factors; having any of them does not imply that you or a loved one will surely develop the disease.

Knowing the symptoms of a disease can be incredibly helpful to any person. If you know what to look out for, you can go to the doctor in time and help yourself or someone in need. Being able to express your symptoms well to the doctor also helps in your diagnosis and treatment. Thus, we will be listing the symptoms of Parkinson’s to help you out.

• One of the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s is tremors. It starts with mild tremors that can be controlled but progress to the point where people need help with daily activities.
• There are distinct changes in the writing pattern of the patient. Their handwriting may be illegible, and their writing style may change completely.
• Difficulty swallowing water and food.
• Stiffness in muscles leads to difficulty in movement and body aches.
• Trouble in expressing thoughts and emotions.
• Forgetfulness.
• Lethargic and jerky movements.
• Muscle coordination decreases as the brain stops sending the right signals to other body parts.
• Loss of smell.
• Instability in the body.
• Sleeping difficulties.
• Difficulty in controlling the bladder.
• Tiredness.
• Constipation.
• Trouble in sexual activities.

One of the biggest problems people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease face is the loss of their sense of self. Independent people, all their lives, depend on others for the smallest functions. When dealing with a Parkinson’s patient, being kind and generous with your patience is important. They may repeat things and make a mess, but remember they are not doing all this on purpose. Also, remember to be kind to yourself if you are dealing with a Parkinson’s patient, as doing so is by no means easy. If it gets too much at any point, seeking professional care should always be seen as the way to go.

There are very few blood or lab investigations available to identify Parkinson's disease in non-genetic cases. Doctors typically do a neurological exam and obtain a patient's medical history to determine the condition. Another sign that someone has Parkinson's is if their symptoms get better once they start taking medication.

Many conditions can produce symptoms resembling those of Parkinson's. Parkinsonism is the term for those who exhibit Parkinson's-like symptoms due to other conditions such as multi-system degeneration and Lewy body dementia. Although some conditions may first be mistaken for Parkinson's, specific medical tests and pharmacological therapy outcomes may help determine the true cause. However, Parkinson's needs a specialised form of treatment, so the right diagnosis and treatment must be started soon.

With that said, there are some tests that your doctor may recommend to rule out other possibilities or get a sure reading of your condition. These tests include;

• Blood tests
• Genetic testing
• MRI
• CT Scans
• Spinal Tap
• PET Scan
• Skin Biopsy

Parkinson's disease cannot currently be cured; however, there are several treatments to treat its symptoms. Depending on each individual's unique symptoms and how effectively various treatments perform, the treatments differ from person to person. The main treatment for this disease is medication.

Surgery to insert a device that will administer a gentle electrical charge to a portion of your brain is a secondary therapeutic option. Additionally, there are some experimental possibilities, like stem cell-based therapies, but their accessibility varies a lot, and many are not accessible to those with Parkinson's Disease.

Direct therapies and symptom treatments are the two types of medication used to manage Parkinson's Disease. Direct therapies go after Parkinson's Disease itself.

The amount of dopamine that is readily obtainable in your brain can be raised by medications like levodopa. When this drug does not function, it nearly always indicates the presence of another form of parkinsonism apart from Parkinson's Disease. Levodopa ultimately develops adverse effects that reduce its effectiveness after prolonged use.

Dopamine agonists are drugs that mimic the effects of dopamine. Dopamine is a stimulant that, whenever a dopamine particle hooks onto a cell, causes that cell to behave in a particular way. Cells may adopt the same behaviour after being exposed to dopamine agonists. These are more frequent in younger individuals to postpone levodopa administration.

Your body can break down neurotransmitters like dopamine through natural mechanisms. More dopamine is kept supplied to your brain owing to medications that prevent your system from disintegrating dopamine. In the early phases of Parkinson's Disease, they are very helpful, and when paired with levodopa, they can also be beneficial.

In the past, surgery has been used to deliberately injure and scar a portion of the brain damaged by Parkinson's Disease. Deep-brain stimulation, which employs an implanted device to provide a modest electrical charge to those same locations, makes it possible to achieve the same result today. The main benefit is the reversibility of deep brain stimulation as opposed to intentional scarring harm. In the latter stages of the disease, when levodopa treatment becomes less efficient, and in patients with a tremor that doesn't appear to respond to standard drugs, this therapeutic method is always a choice.

When no therapies work to help control the symptoms of the disease, doctors may turn to experimental methods to cure the disease. Some experimental methods used in treating Parkinson's Disease include Neuro-Repair Treatments, Stem Cell Transplants and Gene Therapies.

As we know, doctors are still looking to understand the underlying causes behind Parkinson's and what therapies may work best as a cure. However, since we do not know what gives rise to this disease, it is better to find ways to prevent it from developing. On the flip side, you also need to be aware that there is no set way to prevent the onset of the disease. You can take some measures to reduce your chances of getting the disease, but it does not nullify it.

Parkinson's disease has no known explanation, according to doctors and experts. Additionally, they don't know why it develops uniquely in each person. Because of this, it is uncertain how to stop the sickness. Researchers look into what causes Parkinson's disease and how to prevent it yearly. According to studies, lifestyle elements like regular exercise and an antioxidant-rich diet may have a preventive role. Also, consider eating fresh food that is not filled with herbicides and pesticides, as we know that they play an important role in a person's development of Parkinson's. Maintain a healthy physique and keep your immunity strong by staying fit.

Consider genetic testing if Parkinson's disease runs in your family. Parkinson's disease has been linked to specific genes. It's crucial to understand that having certain DNA abnormalities does not guarantee that you will get the illness. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic testing with your doctor.

As we have already said, Parkinson’s has no known source or treatment. Doctors and researchers are doing their best to come up with a game plan; however, they can tackle the symptoms rather than the disease itself. Since we do not know why Parkinson’s develops in a person, it becomes even more important to be prepared to battle it. You should not be in a position where you are without any protection when diagnosed with the disease. Your protection can come in the form of Parkinson’s insurance.

Some reasons why health insurance for Parkinson's patients becomes so important are;

• Emergencies- Life is unpredictable, and your health is also uncertain, especially concerning diseases like Parkinson’s, as we've already stated. Besides, medical emergencies can occur anytime, and can deplete one’s life savings. Having health insurance in such a dreadful scenario enables you to be ready for anything. Knowing you can pay for your required care will allow you to relax.

• Expense- Healthcare costs are high. It can be expensive to receive treatment, especially if you need to be hospitalised or receive long-term care, like in the case of Parkinson's. Nevertheless, if you obtain Parkinson's medicare coverage, you won't have to stress about paying for medical bills in case of hospitalisation.

• Life and Lifestyle- People today are constantly stressed and under pressure. Health and wellness have taken a backseat to the rat race of life. What this leads to is a generation of individuals who are vulnerable to health scares. If you have a medical insurance plan, you can be at ease knowing that should you develop a disease that needs specialised or long-term care, you are prepared to face it and get the best possible care.

• Cashless Hospitalisation- As we have discussed, a health emergency may crop up at any time. It can also be at a time when you are not prepared for it. You may not even have sufficient funds to pay for the hospital admission. However, when you or a loved one is ill, you should not be concerned about money. With Tata AIG’s health insurance, you can get the best care at our network of cashless hospitals without worrying about paying bills.

If you are in the market for a medical insurance plan and wish to buy health insurance online from Tata AIG, you can do so easily. You can buy our plans online and offline, and neither mode should take too much time. We have curated the process to be as simple as possible so that you can get the best of our services without worrying too much about the process itself.

Online- If you wish to buy our policy online, here is what you need to do.

• Go to the Tata AIG website, and choose who you wish to buy the plan for. You can buy the policy for your parents, spouse or children.
• After deciding who you wish to buy the plan for, click on ‘Get Plan’.
• Fill in the relevant information being asked of you, and you will receive suggestions on the best plans for you.
• You will then be redirected to a different page where you must select the sum insured. Once you select that, you can see what your premium will look like.
• Compare the plans shown to you and choose the one you think is the best fit.
• Once you have zeroed in on a plan, click on ‘Buy Now’.
• Someone from our team will contact you to see if you need any help with your purchase.

You will then need to pay the application fee. Once you have paid the fee, your application will be reviewed. If all is well, you should receive your policy in no time.

Offline- To buy your policy offline, you need to follow the steps given below.

• Find a Tata AIG branch close to you and go there.
• Go to the counter and mention why you have gone to the office.
• An official from the team will approach you and explain what your choices are.
• After deciding which plan you wish to buy, fill out the right application form.
• Add the documents being asked for.
• Go to the counter and submit your documents.
• Pay the necessary fee.

This concludes the process. All you need to do is wait for your policy to reach you.

The documents that you require to buy a medical insurance plan from Tata AIG include

• ID proof
• Proof of residence
• Proof of age
• Recent coloured photographs
• Proof of income
• Any documents you have relating to your health history