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Did you come across someone suffering from Parkinson’s disease? Have you ever wondered why these patients have shaky hands and slow movements?
The answer is Parkinson’s disease, a complex and variable neurological condition that can develop at any age, present with a wide range of symptoms, and progress at different rates in each individual. It primarily affects the brain, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms that significantly impact daily life. Globally, more than 10 million people are living with Parkinsonism, highlighting the urgent need to deepen our understanding of the causes of Parkinson’s disease as well as atypical Parkinsonism and improve access to effective Parkinson’s disease treatment.
On World Parkinson’s Day, observed annually on April 11th, we take the opportunity to raise awareness about this challenging condition. Through this blog, we aim to shed light on the nature of the disease, explore current treatment options, and honour the resilience of those living with Parkinson’s.
Synopsis
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects an individual’s nervous system, specifically the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, a chemical that controls movement, leading to the disruption of predominantly motor function. The disease is often diagnosed in individuals over 60 years, but young-onset Parkinson’s disease in those under 50 (YOPD) is also not uncommon.
Types of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease includes several types, each with unique features and progression patterns. Some of them are:
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Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease is the most frequent kind with no known aetiology. It typically presents with Parkinson’s disease tremors, tightness, slowness of movement, and balance issues, which often respond well to dopamine-based treatments.
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Genetic or Familial Parkinson’s Disease results from inherited genetic mutations and is more likely in those with a family history. Symptoms are similar to idiopathic Parkinson’s but may appear earlier and respond differently to treatment.
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Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) is diagnosed before age 50. It generally progresses more slowly and may include dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions). However, younger patients are more susceptible to side effects from long-term medication use.
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Atypical Parkinsonism, or Parkinson’s Plus Syndromes, includes conditions such as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). These progress more rapidly and respond poorly to standard Parkinson’s treatments.
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Drug-induced Parkinsonism occurs when certain medications, especially antacids like Levosulpride, interfere with dopamine function. Though symptoms mimic Parkinson’s disease, this form may sometimes be reversed if the medication is stopped or the cause is treated.
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Vascular Parkinsonism is caused by small strokes or reduced blood flow in specific brain areas. Predominantly affects the legs rather than the hands (hence, also known as lower body Parkinsonism) and may be associated with difficulty in bladder control and thinking or memory issues. Aggressive vascular risk factor control along with physiotherapy and gait training as well as levodopa are the main modalities of treatment.
Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
When the dopamine-producing nerves undergo degeneration and death, it can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can worsen over time.
The hallmark motor symptoms include:
- Parkinson's tremors (especially in the limbs)
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Muscle tightness (rigidity)
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Slowness of movement
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Postural instability
It can also affect:
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Cognition and memory
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Sleep patterns
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Mood and mental health
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Speech, digestion, and even trouble smelling
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Constipation
Without intervention, the condition can gradually progress to cause stiffness and rigidity of the body, finally making the patient bedbound.
Parkinson’s Disease Causes
The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease remains elusive, but experts believe the cause could be multifactorial. Age is the primary factor that has dramatically increased the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease globally. Also, the male gender and environmental factors like exposure to pesticides and chemicals may increase the incidence of developing the disease. Lifestyle habits, including a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of processed foods, and chronic stress, have accelerated the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Curiously, professional boxers and contact sports players are known to develop a variant of Parkinson’s disease known as dementia pugilistica, aka chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Currently, a Parkinson’s disease cure does not exist. However, several treatment options are available to manage symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Some of these include:
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Medications: Prescription medications such as Levodopa, Dopamine Agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors can help replenish or mimic dopamine.
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Deep Brain Stimulation: A small device is implanted into the brain to send electrical impulses to the targeted areas
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Physical Therapy: Helps patients to preserve mobility and improve balance
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Occupational and Speech Therapy: These therapies can aid patients with their daily activities and improve communication
Promising therapies and innovative research, such as Gene Therapy, wearable technology, and neuroprotective agents, are being developed to improve the care for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Significance of World Parkinson’s Day
World Parkinson’s Day is a call to action—a moment to recognise the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease while also highlighting the progress being made. Advancements in research, growing awareness, and improved access to care are helping patients manage the condition more effectively than ever before.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease can irreversibly affect how an individual moves or controls their body. Even though the disease requires ongoing care and treatment, it is manageable with early diagnosis, the right medications, lifestyle changes, and continuing support. Help your loved ones with Parkinson’s disease live independently–consult expert neurologists at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, for comprehensive Parkinson’s care and guidance.
FAQ's
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominantly the individual's movements. It is a chronic condition that develops slowly, and at present, although research is ongoing regarding curative treatments, excellent symptomatic treatments with an almost near-normal lifestyle can be offered for most patients.
The stages of Parkinson’s disease are:
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Mild Parkinson’s: Symptoms like slowness, short strides, arms stuck to the side, tightness of limbs and tremors occur on one side of the body, but it does not affect the individual’s daily activities.
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Moderate Parkinson’s: Parkinson's motor symptoms occur on both sides of the body. Additionally, affected individuals move more slowly and experience difficulty with balance and coordination.
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Advanced Parkinson’s: Affected individuals experience great difficulty with walking. They will not be able to perform daily activities and may be wheelchair- or bed-bound.
Vertigo and dizziness are often reported symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. These symptoms cause balance issues in affected patients.
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease must exercise regularly to relieve themself from muscle tension and alleviate their mood. Additionally, eating a healthy, balanced diet is important to nourish your body to stay healthy.
Most individuals with Parkinson’s disease respond well to treatment and have a normal life expectancy with mild to moderate disability. However, for those with atypical Parkinsonism who may not respond to treatment as well, the disease may have a faster rate of progression, causing more disability and affecting the patient's quality of life.
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