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From The Times
February 3, 2005

Parkinson's presents added risk

By Dr Thomas Stuttaford
IT WAS a wise decision for the Pope to go into hospital to have a laryngeal ailment, and probably also a chest infection, treated expertly. All patients in their 80s are at increased risk of developing pneumonia after an attack of flu, and those with Parkinson’s disease are especially at risk.

It has been known for more than ten years that the Pope has Parkinson’s disease. In retrospect, it is possible to say that he may have been displaying symptoms as long ago as 1992. The longer that people have Parkinson’s disease, the greater the chance that they may develop pneumonia and, hence, the more hazardous for them to catch flu.

Pneumonia is more common in long-standing Parkinson’s patients not only because of the general frailty experienced by them but also because the muscles of the chest may be affected, as are, almost invariably, the muscles involved in swallowing.

It is not surprising that the Pope has laryngeal complications stemming from his infection, and that the laryngeal airways are inflamed and swollen and his breathing has been restricted. The Pope is likely to make a recovery, but he will be probably left considerably weaker than he was before the infection.

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