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Parking is a huge problem.On a positive note it is a great hospital with great specialists and doctor's hence why it is so busy. Well worth driving around a bit looking for parking knowing your loved one's are in good hands. My mind at ease. My husband is well looked after. Thank you Linksfield staff :)
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While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatments are available to maintain your quality of life and relieve the symptoms. The treatment option includes medication, therapy, and surgery. Treatment for every person with Parkinson’s disease can be different as it is based on their specific symptoms.
Surgery
There are a few surgical options for Parkinson’s disease. However, the most common surgery is called deep brain stimulation (DBS). This surgery involves surgically implanting electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator placed in your chest near the collarbone, which sends electrical pulses to your brain and may ease your symptoms. DBS generally has two parts:
Brain surgery – the first part of DBS is brain surgery. During brain surgery, your head will be fitted into a special head frame to keep your head still. Then, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to map your brain and identify the area where the electrodes will be placed. Then, your surgeon will implant a thin wire lead with a number of electrodes at a specific area of your brain. A wire runs under your skin to a pulse generator, which will be implanted in your chest. Brain surgery will be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia (you will be awake but your scalp is numbed). You will not need an anesthetic in your brain as it has no pain receptors.
Chest wall surgery – during the second part of DBS, your surgeon implants the pulse generator under the skin in your chest. The generator is programmed to continuously send electrical pulses to your brain. You can control the generator using a special remote control. This part of the surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Supportive therapy
Several therapies can help you deal with your symptoms and make living with Parkinson’s disease easier. These therapies include:
Physiotherapy – a physiotherapist can teach you movements and exercises to relieve joint pain and muscle stiffness. The aim of physiotherapy is to make moving easier, as well as to improve your flexibility and walking. This therapy can also help improve your ability to do things for yourself and improve your fitness level.
Speech and language therapy – many people who have Parkinson’s disease experience problems with their speech and swallowing difficulties. Speech and language therapy can help you manage these problems by showing you swallowing and speaking exercises. Sometimes, assistive technology may also be provided in speech and language therapy.
Occupational therapy – this type of therapy can help you work out practical solutions to maintain your independence for as long as possible. An occupational therapist can show you new ways to perform your daily activities, such as dressing yourself, and they will ensure that your home is properly set up for you to gain the maximum benefits.
Medication
Medications can significantly improve the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as movement problems and tremors. The three main types of medications are levodopa, dopamine agonist, and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors. With medications, you will need to attend regular reviews with your doctor.
The length of stay in Johannesburg can vary, depending on the type of treatment you have. After deep brain stimulation, you may need to stay in the hospital for one to two days. In general, you should plan to stay in the country for 7 to 14 days after DBS and if your doctor gives you medication. For therapy, you may need to stay longer, sometimes even a full month or longer.
After DBS, you should be able to return to work and light activities within 2 weeks, but you need to wait 4 to 6 weeks until you can engage in heavier activities. There is typically no exact recovery time for medication and therapy. However, make sure to consult your doctor first.
After surgery, you will be given aftercare instructions by your doctor. The instructions may include restrictions and wound care. You must follow everything your doctor tells you to avoid any complications. You may also need to make some dietary and lifestyle changes.
Follow-up appointments are important for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Therefore, always make sure to be at every appointment.
Parkinson’s disease treatment is safe and can help manage your symptoms. It also highly successful in improving patients’ quality of life. However, any type of treatment carries some possible risks. For DBS, the risks include infection, brain hemorrhage, or stroke. For medications, the side effects are nausea, lightheadedness, sleepiness, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors.
There are no alternatives to the treatment mentioned in this article. However, there are some therapies that you can combine with your treatment to improve your quality of life, such as massage, yoga, tai chi, meditation, Alexander technique, and pet therapy.
Living with Parkinson’s disease can be difficult. The symptoms of the disease may prevent you from enjoying your life and performing your daily activities that used to be easy. However, after treatment, you should relearn new ways to do things, the symptoms should be eased, and your quality of life should be improved.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Johannesburg is the most populous as well as the largest city in South Africa. There is a lot to see and do in Johannesburg. Home to the Apartheid Museum, it is the perfect place for anyone who loves history and wants to learn more about the country’s past. There are also MOAD and MuseuMAfriCA that exhibit the city’s art and history. Other than the museums, the metropolitan city has a number of other things to do, such as enjoying Gold Reef City, shopping in its many markets, and visiting The Cradle of Human Kind.
Today, people have found a new reason to visit Johannesburg: medical tourism. Although it is not as widely known as other medical tourism destinations in other parts of the world, the city has seen a steady rise in medical tourists. The urban city features public and private medical centers with the highest standards, well-trained medical practitioners, and cutting-edge technology. Most of the medical centers have English speaking doctors, nurses, and staff, so there is no language barrier for foreign medical tourists. Plastic surgery, particularly tummy tuck, is one of the more popular procedures since it is much cheaper here than in Western countries.
While Johannesburg is not a popular tourist destination, there are a number of things to see and do in the city. The city is mostly known as Nelson Mandela’s home and has an array of astonishing museums. Those who love history and want to learn about the country’s struggle will enjoy the Apartheid Museum. It exhibits the story of apartheid through photographs, film footage, clippings, newspaper, and artifacts. Mandela House in Soweto Street is also worth a visit. It was once Nelson Mandela’s home. The museum showcases photographs, paintings, as well as awards and recognitions earned by Nelson Mandela.
One of the most popular places is the Lion Park. The safari park offers an amazing chance to watch lions and several other animals up close. There are also other activities such as animal interactions and hand-feeding a few animals, such as ostriches and giraffes. Other than the Lion Park, Pilanesberg National Park is famous among wildlife enthusiast. The national park is filled with opulent ecosystem and wildlife. Tourists can experience a safari and spot lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, zebras, and over 300 bird species in their natural habitat.
Johannesburg is popular for its art and you must visit the Maboneng Precinct where you will find art-studios and shops selling art pieces. Wits Art Museum is another great place to admire African art. If you want to know more about the culture, Lesedi Cultural Village is the best place to go. Here, tourists can learn more about traditional South African culture and a chance to encounter people of Zulu, Pedi, Ndebele, Xhosa, and Basotho origin. Other places including SAB World of Beer, Gold Reef City, Holly Hill, Market Theatre, Constitution Hill, and Mary Fitzgerald Square are also a must-visit.
Johannesburg experiences a subtropical highland climate. The summer, which runs from October to April, is characterized by hot days with thundershowers in the afternoon and cool evenings. The temperature is mostly mild during the summer. January is one of the hottest months, with an average maximum daytime temperature of 25.6 °C. The summer has an extreme UV index, sometimes reaching as high as 14-16. Therefore, tourists must wear sun-protective clothing and apply sunscreen during the day to avoid sunburn.
In the winter, the city enjoys sunny days and cold nights. This season is dry, and the average maximum temperature is around 16 °C. In June and July, the temperature can drop to 4.1 °C and occasionally drops below freezing at night. The freezing temperature causes frost, but snow is rare. It is advisable to bring warm clothing during this season.
International visitors usually arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport, also known as Johannesburg International Airport. It is Africa’s busiest airport and the primary airport that serves domestic and international travel. The airport connects South Africa with various cities all over the world, including London, Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Singapore, and Sydney. It is the hub for South Africa’s largest domestic and international airlines, South African Airways. Budget airlines such as FlySafair, Mango, and Kalula operate flights from this airport for an inexpensive travel option.
Johannesburg has a vast public transport system. The Gautrain rapid-rail is safe and fairly easy to navigate. The rail also links the city center with O. R. Tambo International Airport. For efficient transport, tourists can opt for the Rea Vaya bus service that has a circular route through the city and is useful to explore the City Center at a reasonable cost. Many locals will use the minibus taxi network, but it can be pretty confusing for foreign tourists. Passengers need to know a route to their destination, hail the minibus taxi from the street, and once they have arrived at their desired destination, they need to make a hand signal to stop the minibus.
Metered taxis are available but can be quite expensive. The taxis are mostly found outside hotels. Since there are only a few places to hail a taxi in the street, the best way to hail a taxi is by phone. Be careful because many taxis do not use meters so tourists would need to negotiate the price before getting in. The most reliable metered taxis are Orange Cabs, Quick Cab, and Zebra Cabs. Uber is also available for safer, quicker, and more affordable transport.
All visitors who wish to enter South Africa must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit and must have at least two unused pages. Passport holders of more than 60 countries can enter and stay for up to 90 days in the country without a visa. Other nationals not listed in the visa exemption agreement must obtain a visa to the nearest South Africa embassy or consulate. The South Africa Immigration Department also offers Medical Treatment Visa for medical tourists.
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