Gryogear Could Eliminate the Need for Parkinson's Medications

Parkinson’s Disease affects between seven and ten million people around the world. It is a motor systems disorder that kills brain cells and results in tremors, rigidity, and impaired coordination. In some people, the symptoms can increase in severity over time. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but there are medications to help reduce the symptoms. Unfortunately, sometimes the medications can either develop side effects or become less effective over time.

As a way to help Parkinson’s patients, a company called Gyrogear created the “Gyroglove”. The Gyroglove is a small glove, with a lightweight stabilization device attached to the back of the hand. It is meant to reduce and control the patient’s hand tremors. The glove has been put through early testing, where it was able to reduce tremors over 80%. Because the palm is uncovered, the patient’s are able to use their hands without any obstruction.

The Gyroglove could make a huge improvement in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. Hand tremors can make it difficult for patients to perform everyday tasks, and the medications don’t seem to be the best solution. Each of the individual drugs has its own side effects, which range from sleepiness and blurred vision to joint aches. It can sometimes even cause hallucinations. Even without side effects, the medications tend become less effective over time, causing the body to respond less to the medication and have less control over symptoms. The Gyroglove would eliminate the need to take medications, thus eliminating potential side effects. Also, the glove would be consistently effective instead of degenerating as time goes on.

The Gyroglove could also be helpful for doctors whose patients have Parkinson’s disease. It tracks the patient’s symptoms, which would provide data on the severity and frequency of the tremors for doctors. This would give information on how to best treat that particular patient.

            Gyroglove is the future for Parkinson’s patients. It is able to control the symptoms as well as, if not better than, the medications without potentially harmful side effects. This could allow the patients to gain control over their disease and independence over their lives.

Sources:

 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/16/health/gyroglove-parkinsons-tremors-feat/index.html

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/side-effects-parkinsons-drugs

http://gyrogear.co/gyroglove/