What is Kennedy’s Disease?
Many people have never heard of Kennedy’s disease, perhaps not even by its other names, including spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, Kennedy’s syndrome, and SBMA. Therefore, when a family member is diagnosed with the disease, you may have no idea what to do for them or how to proceed. Learning about the disease can put your mind more at ease and help you to determine how to help.
Caregiver in Westfield IN: Kennedy’s Disease
General Information
Kennedy’s disease is a hereditary disease that affects the nervous system. Most people experience their first symptoms of Kennedy’s disease between the ages of 40 and 60. The disease impacts the nerves that are needed for movement, affecting the person’s ability to move their arms and legs. In addition, it affects the bulbar muscles, which are the muscles responsible for controlling breathing, talking, and swallowing.
Kennedy’s disease is caused by a defect in the X chromosome. Women have two X chromosomes while men have only one. As a result, men are usually more severely impacted by the disease. That’s because a woman’s second X chromosome makes up for the deficiencies in the other chromosome.
Kennedy’s disease is a progressive disease, which means its symptoms worsen as time goes on. However, most people with the disease live a lifespan that is close to normal.
Symptoms of Kennedy’s Disease
There are three kinds of symptoms caused by Kennedy’s disease, neurological, muscular, and endocrine-related.
Neurological symptoms include:
- Weakness in tongue and mouth muscles, causing problems with speech and swallowing.
- Trouble breathing, which can make speech sound breathy.
- Numbness.
- Hand tremors.
Muscular symptoms include:
- Muscle twitches.
- Muscle cramps.
- Calf size enlarges because of muscle cramps.
- Loss of muscle tissue.
Endocrine-related symptoms include:
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Breast enlargement in men.
- Impotence.
- Shrinking and loss of function in testicles.
How is Kennedy’s Disease Treated?
Although there is no cure for Kennedy’s disease, there are treatments that can make it easier to live with. Treatment usually involves a combination of physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Treatment focuses on helping the patient to maintain as much muscle function as they can. They allow the patient to continue doing as many of their normal activities as possible and retain more of their independence.
Home care can also assist your family member with Kennedy’s disease to stay independent despite their symptoms. A home care provider can help with household tasks that muscle weakness may make difficult, such as vacuuming and carrying laundry baskets. Home care providers can also drive your relative to their therapy appointments. In addition, a home care provider can be an excellent source of support and comfort when living with a chronic disease gets difficult.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Westfield, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760
Sources
Verywellhealth.com
Kennedysdisease.org
Als.ca
As a practicing Registered Nurse, Etelka was keenly aware of a void in quality patient care that could be provided in the home. She embarked upon a journey to develop a home health care agency that would exceed all expectations and become a trusted partner to physicians and patients.
A Distinguished Career From Nurse to Director of Nursing to President of Home Services Unlimited
Etelka’s distinguished career followed a logical progression to her position as President of Home Services Unlimited. She graduated as a nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) in 1972 from Meshgorya University in the Ukraine, close to where she lived with her family. She married her husband Phil in 1973 and decided in 1977 that they would relocate to the United States to be closer to family and to come to this land of opportunity. With an eagerness to continue her budding career, Etelka sat for and passed her Boards in the U.S. in 1979.
A Love and Talent for Working with the Elderly
Etelka began her nursing career in the U.S. at Colonial Crest, now part of Golden Living, where she was the In-service Coordinator, the Director of Training and Education and Director of Nursing, a position she occupied for several years.
With a group of partners, she co-founded Adept Corporation, which operated group homes for the mentally challenged. The business was successful and in 1996, Etelka sold her share to return to her roots, caring for the elderly.
In January of 1997, Etelka opened Home Services Unlimited as a fully licensed business to provide home health care. In her quest to learn to do better for her patients, she had already obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) in May of 1990 from the College of St. Francis. As President of Home Services Unlimited, Inc., Etelka guides the trusted, experienced care model Home Services Unlimited uses to continue providing excellent home health care.
Giving Back to the Community of Indianapolis
Volunteering for community services is a high priority for Etelka. Her memberships include the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Executive Women in Health Care and the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.
Etelka has also served on the Board of Directors with Hooverwood Home, a highly regarded geriatric facility, since 1997 and as the President for 2005-2006. Through her community work, she has received several awards and accolades, including the Nora McFarland award in 2002, from the Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care.
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