They say the countryside is not just a place to live but where one learns to live. Life for country folks is all about breathing the aromatic petrichor and harvesting life’s simplest joys. Most of them till the land, pray for rains, and work hard in the fields daily.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, our country is home to 1.89 million farms as of 2023. Many of these are run in the tranquil countryside. Humble farmers lead lives rife with challenges and toil to ensure an uninterrupted food supply.
Sadly, many of them pay a heavy price, sometimes in the form of Parkinson’s disease. Does this sound strange? In this article, we will discuss the incidence of Parkinson’s among agrarian folks, common causes, effects, and the way forward.
Parkinson’s Becoming Common Among Farmers
Did you know that around 1 million people across the US have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? The numbers are expected to become 1.2 million by 2030. What’s even more concerning is the fact that farmers are speedily reporting a diagnosis; some of them are even surprised by the results.
For instance – Ron Neibruegge, an Illinois-based farmer, was certain that his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 55 was an error. He had been a fairly healthy individual with no major complaints, but a dizzy spell in 2007 changed it all in an instant.
An avalanche of troubles came tumbling down due to the progressive and debilitating neurological condition. It was later found that Ron was among the victims of a popular weed killer called Paraquat.
Introduced as an alternative to Monsanto/Bayer’s Roundup, Paraquat has been available in the US under ‘restricted use.’ It is known to be toxic to humans, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a list of common exposure symptoms. These include –
- Swelling and pain in the mouth
- Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities
- Lung scarring
- Liver, kidney, or heart failure
- Seizures
- Pulmonary edema
It may be unfortunate, but it is in no way uncertain that Paraquat is responsible for many a farmer’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. This is why injured farmers have filed a lawsuit against Growmark and Syngenta. According to TorHoerman Law, some lawsuits have been settled as of March 2024.
Each case will be assigned compensation based on how straightforward it is, the severity of injuries, medical expenses, impact on the plaintiff’s life, and so on. On average, the Paraquat lawsuit settlement amounts may range from $10,000 to even $1 million. Farmers are primarily fighting this litigation to ensure others and their future generations do not have to suffer a similar fate.
Effects of the Disease on the Body
Before we discuss the different symptoms or signs of Parkinson’s, let’s mention that it is not a condition of intellectual slackness. In other words, individuals with Parkinson’s do not suffer from an inability to know what they want.
Retaining normal intellectual levels, those affected with Parkinson’s can exercise their volition. The main issue is with delayed processing of thoughts or actions. This is why the individual may take longer than usual to complete everyday tasks.
Some of the common effects of the condition on the body include –
- Difficult to read handwriting that is too slanted or small
- Tremors and other forms of uncontrollable movements
- Stiffness of muscles
- Loss of balance and posture
- Delayed speech, soft speech, or difficulty speaking
- Increase in saliva production
- Loss of sense of smell
- Changes in facial expression
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
In Case of a Diagnosis
Being a progressive neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson’s is often considered to be an age-related condition. Though it may affect those in their middle ages, the demographics most at risk of developing it are older adults aged 60 and above.
Since we’re focusing on farming folks, let’s discuss how a Parkinson’s diagnosis will change things. It will become a lot more challenging to use heavyweight power tools. However, other daily activities like personal grooming can be carried out routinely. Let’s look at what’s possible and what’s not due to the diagnosis.
- Continuing daily activity is especially important to maintain mobility.
- It is best to continue activities that are possible to perform.
- Light stretching and weight-bearing should become a part of a regular exercise program.
- Walking at least 30 minutes every day is achievable.
- A rehabilitation specialist must be consulted to discuss the exercise level, fatigue, stress management, etc.
- Eating healthy and sound sleep at night is imperative to avoid unnecessary stress.
The Way Forward and Tips to Prevent
Parkinson’s can be a merciless and debilitating condition for many, especially since it is progressive. In terms of prevention, we cannot recommend any foolproof tips because the disease does not appear to be preventable. However, certain things can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s at any stage in life.
- Moderate to high levels of physical activity like swimming or biking are a must. If none of these is possible, brisk walking also helps.
- A diet full of fresh vegetables, both cooked and raw, can help prevent Parkinson’s later in life.
- Excessive consumption of manganese or iron increases the risk of developing this disease. If someone wishes to consume supplements, it is essential to ensure that they are truly needed.
- Paints or pesticides must only be used in a well-ventilated area. The individual must still wear a respirator, which is available across hardware stores.
Despite the somber tone of this article, there is some good news promised by technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Blood tests enhanced by AI can detect Parkinson’s years before its onset. This could help researchers discover ways to prevent or slow the progression of the condition.
For those, precisely farmers, who have already been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, walking alone at night is not recommended at all. The individual must have a phone or walkie-talkie with them at all times. At least two people must be aware of the patient’s location.
Regular breaks between farming work are crucial to avoid fatigue. Equipment with a higher risk of entanglement or entrapment must not be used. Other precautionary measures include remaining seated for 20 minutes after each meal for proper blood circulation and using power tools at slower speeds.
If you or a loved one’s Parkinson’s is a result of Paraquat or other herbicides, the situation is unfortunate. However, remember that legal justice is available, and with some strategic precautions, you can still live a very normal life. Do not let the condition define your remaining years.
