Former President Bush's rare form of Parkinson's disease
George HW Bush suffered from vascular Parkinson's disease - a rare form of the disease that affects the lower body and leaves him unable to walk.
Former US President George HW Bush died on November 30 after nearly eight months in the hospital due to an infection that spread to his blood. He was admitted to the hospital just one day after the funeral of his wife, Barbara Bush.
According toAP,For the past few years, Mr. Bush has been battling vascular Parkinson's disease, which affects the lower part of his body and leaves him unable to walk. Bush Sr. has used a wheelchair since losing a vertebra in 2015.
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Former President George HW Bush had to use a wheelchair due to the effects of vascular Parkinson's disease. Photo:HE |
Dr. Alberto J. Espay, professor of neurology at the University of Cincinnati, USA saidPeople with vascular Parkinson's do not have typical symptoms of the disease. They also do not respond to Parkinson's medications.
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, the disease is caused by a series of small strokes in the brain that cause slow movement, tremors and stiffness. People with the disease often have problems walking and maintaining balance in the lower body (from the waist down).
Bush said in a 2012 interview with Parade magazine that the condition is not painful and only affects his legs. "It's been very difficult for me because I like to be active, play sports. But now I have to face reality and do the best I can," he said at the time.
Dr. Tanya Simuni, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, USA, said people aged 70 and older are often at high risk of the disease. Vascular Parkinson's can cause depression, affect behavior and memory. "Diagnosis of this disease is quite difficult because of the lack of accurate tests," the doctor said.
Because the disease does not respond well to medication, initial treatment focuses on reducing stroke risk factors such as controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Solutions include quitting smoking, exercising, eating a healthy diet and taking a daily aspirin. Patients may receive physical therapy to improve balance and prevent falls, said Dr. Corneliu Luca, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Miami.
Later, when Parkinson's symptoms appeared more and more, the 41st President of the United States remained optimistic and participated in many social activities. "I have never known anyone as strong-willed and perfect as my father," his son, former President Bush "Jr" once shared about his father.
George HW Bush, the 41st president of the United States, died on November 30 at the age of 94. The cause of death has not been announced. Bush Sr. suffered from vascular Parkinson's disease and had been hospitalized several times for pneumonia. He also suffered from autoimmune hyperthyroidism, an immune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid gland. In April, he was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital because of an "infection that had spread to his blood." George HW Bush was President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He was Vice President under Ronald Reagan for two terms (1981–1989). |
