MANILA, Philippines – A neurologist on Thursday said he has been
observing early signs of Parkinson's disease from Filipino boxing icon
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.
Dr. Rustico Jimenez, President of Private Hospitals Association of
the Philippines, told radio dzMM that among the early signs of
Parkinson's being exhibited by Pacquiao include stuttering and hand
twitching.
Jimenez urged the Filipino champion to retire from boxing in order to
avoid what happened to Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and award-winning
trainer Freddie Roach who were both afflicted with the progressive
disorder of the nervous system.
"Kung ako naman ang tatanungin, siguro dapat mag-retiro ang ating pambansang hero na si Manny," he said.
"Lalo pong nadadagdagan ang trauma, lalo pong magkakaroon siya ng problema. Pwedeng later on Alzheimer's disease naman."
In a separate phone interview, Jimenez clarified that he could be
wrong with his observations, but nevertheless told Pacquiao to be
cautious.
He said while he has not met Pacquiao to personally check on his
condition, his hand twitches during television interviews should be a
cause for concern.
"Yung movement, although mabilis ang reflexes, napapansin ko lang -
another view or personal view lang naman ang sa akin - parang may early
signs," he said.
"May mga movements napapansin mo sa kamay. Sa kamay usually, sa ulo
hindi natin makikita agad, nagtu-twitch ng konti. Although I haven't
seen very close, parang nakikita ko lang mayroong ganoon."
Chronic trauma
This is not the first time that a medical expert raised concerns over Pacquiao's health.
She said severe head trauma could lead to Alzheimer’s disease or a form of dementia that worsens over time.
She said several studies have been done on the effect of chronic trauma or repeated hits to the head among athletes, particularly boxers and football players.
Fortun said the knockout punch that hit Pacquiao was actually 2 hits: when Marquez's fist connected with Pacquiao's face and when the boxing champ fell face down on the canvass.
"Delikado yun. Pag naalog yan yung utak mo kasi hindi fixed na fixed yan sa bungo so pag naaalog ang utak, may napu-putol putol na connections. May mga small hemorrhages ka," she said.
She said a severe blow to the head could damage the dura mater, which is a membrane that surrounds the brain. Once damaged, it could lead to a subdural hematoma.
The forensic expert expressed alarm over reports that Pacquiao allegedly had a slight seizure after falling unconscious from Marquez's hammer blow to the head.
