12. The Writing on the Wall: Physical Changes in Pick’s Disease
While Pick’s disease primarily targets the behavioral and cognitive aspects of the person, physical changes can also occur as the disease progresses. These changes, although not as pronounced initially, can significantly impact the individual’s daily life.
Think of your body as a finely tuned orchestra, where each instrument plays a vital role in creating a harmonious melody. But in Pick’s disease, the maestro – the brain – starts to falter, leading to a discord in this melody.
One of the initial physical changes can be a subtle decline in motor skills. Tasks requiring fine motor control, such as buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces, might become increasingly challenging. This isn’t due to a lack of strength or flexibility, but a result of the brain’s struggle to coordinate these tasks.
As the disease advances, individuals might also face difficulties with balance and coordination, making them prone to falls and injuries. It could start with a slight unsteadiness while walking and progress to more prominent issues, impacting their mobility.(12)
