Parkinson's
disease
Overview
Parkinson's disease is a
progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start
gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand.
Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing
of movement.
In the early stages of
Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may
not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson's
disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time.
Although Parkinson's disease
can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms.
Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of
your brain and improve your symptoms.
Symptoms
Parkinson's disease signs
and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go
unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain
worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.
Parkinson's signs and
symptoms may include:
Tremor. A
tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You
may rub your thumb and forefinger back and forth, known as a pill-rolling
tremor. Your hand may tremble when it's at rest.
Slowed movement
(bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson's disease may slow
your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may
become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You
may drag your feet as you try to walk.
Rigid muscles.
Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be
painful and limit your range of motion.
Impaired posture and
balance. Your posture may become stooped, or you may
have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease.
Loss of automatic movements.
You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including
blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
Speech changes.
You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may
be more of a monotone rather than have the usual inflections.
Writing changes. It
may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have
any of the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease — not only to diagnose
your condition but also to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
In Parkinson's disease,
certain nerve cells (neurons) in the brain gradually break down and die. Many
of the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger
in your brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal
brain activity, leading to impaired movement and other symptoms of Parkinson's
disease.
The cause of Parkinson's
disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including:
Genes.
Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause
Parkinson's disease. But these are uncommon except in rare cases with many
family members affected by Parkinson's disease.
However, certain gene
variations appear to increase the risk of Parkinson's disease but with a
relatively small risk of Parkinson's disease for each of these genetic markers.
Environmental
triggers. Exposure to certain toxins or environmental
factors may increase the risk of later Parkinson's disease, but the risk is
relatively small.
Researchers have also noted that
many changes occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, although
it's not clear why these changes occur. These changes include:
The presence of Lewy
bodies. Clumps of specific substances within brain
cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson's disease. These are called Lewy
bodies, and researchers believe these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the
cause of Parkinson's disease.
Alpha-synuclein found
within Lewy bodies. Although many substances are found
within Lewy bodies, scientists believe an important one is the natural and
widespread protein called alpha-synuclein (a-synuclein). It's found in all Lewy
bodies in a clumped form that cells can't break down. This is currently an
important focus among Parkinson's disease researchers.
Risk factors
Risk factors for Parkinson's
disease include:
Age.
Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It ordinarily begins in
middle or late life, and the risk increases with age. People usually develop
the disease around age 60 or older.
Heredity.
Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chances that
you'll develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have
many relatives in your family with Parkinson's disease.
Sex.
Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women.
Exposure to toxins. Ongoing
exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase your risk of
Parkinson's disease.
Complications
Parkinson's disease is often
accompanied by these additional problems, which may be treatable:
Thinking difficulties.
You may experience cognitive problems (dementia) and thinking difficulties.
These usually occur in the later stages of Parkinson's disease. Such cognitive
problems aren't very responsive to medications.
Depression and emotional
changes. You may experience depression, sometimes in
the very early stages. Receiving treatment for depression can make it easier to
handle the other challenges of Parkinson's disease.
You may also experience
other emotional changes, such as fear, anxiety or loss of motivation. Doctors
may give you medications to treat these symptoms.
Swallowing problems.
You may develop difficulties with swallowing as your condition progresses.
Saliva may accumulate in your mouth due to slowed swallowing, leading to
drooling.
Chewing and eating
problems. Late-stage Parkinson's disease affects the
muscles in your mouth, making chewing difficult. This can lead to choking and
poor nutrition.
Sleep problems and
sleep disorders. People with Parkinson's disease often
have sleep problems, including waking up frequently throughout the night,
waking up early or falling asleep during the day.
People may also experience
rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which involves acting out your
dreams. Medications may help your sleep problems.
Bladder problems.
Parkinson's disease may cause bladder problems, including being unable to
control urine or having difficulty urinating.
Constipation.
Many people with Parkinson's disease develop constipation, mainly due to a
slower digestive tract.
You may also
experience:
Blood pressure
changes. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you
stand due to a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension).
Smell dysfunction.
You may experience problems with your sense of smell. You may have difficulty
identifying certain odors or the difference between odors.
Fatigue.
Many people with Parkinson's disease lose energy and experience fatigue,
especially later in the day. The cause isn't always known.
Pain.
Some people with Parkinson's disease experience pain, either in specific areas
of their bodies or throughout their bodies.
Sexual dysfunction.
Some people with Parkinson's disease notice a decrease in sexual desire or
performance.
Prevention
Because the cause of
Parkinson's is unknown, proven ways to prevent the disease also remain a
mystery.
Some research has shown that
regular aerobic exercise might reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Some other research has
shown that people who consume caffeine — which is found in coffee, tea and cola
— get Parkinson's disease less often than those who don't drink it. Green tea
is also related to a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease. However,
it is still not known whether caffeine actually protects against getting
Parkinson's or is related in some other way. Currently there is not enough
evidence to suggest drinking caffeinated beverages to protect against
Parkinson's.
Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE
Senior Consultant
Senior Management
Resources, LLC
JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com
412.913.0636 Cell
724.733.0509 Office
January 20, 2022
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