Parkinson's Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

What is Parkinson's Disease?

 

Parkinson’s disease is a central nervous system affecting disease which causes difficulty in speech and motor function. Early symptoms are barely noticeable but as the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen which starts to affect daily life.

 

 

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Tremors and slurred are common symptoms though they may vary from person to person:

 

Tremor

• Tremors or shaking starts in a limb at first, actions like rubbing thumb and forefinger in pill-rolling action, shaking of the foot, and chattering of teeth, are the most common.
• Tongue and internal shakings are also seen in some cases but they are rare.

 

Slow Movements

• Parkinson’s disease slows movement over time making daily life tasks difficult and time-consuming.
• Shorter steps, or even dragging of feet to walk can happen.

 

Rigid or stiff muscles

• The rigidness of muscles can occur in any part of the body which can be painful and limit your ability to do daily life tasks.

 

Postures

• Unsteady balance or stiff posture can also be a symptom.
• Swallowing problems in later stages can also occur.

 

Speech

• Speech problems may develop. Slurred or softly speaking are symptoms.

 

 

Types of Parkinson's Disease

 

Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease

It is the most common form of parkinsonism (conditions where movement is affected because of neurological imbalance in the brain). It generally occurs after the age of 55 and before 65.

 

Juvenile and young-onset Parkinson’s disease

It is a rare condition that occurs before the age of 21. They are generally because of genetic causes.

 

Drug-induced parkinsonism

It is the second most common condition where a drug is involved in the interference of dopamine transmission.

 

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

It is a condition that involves problems with walking, balancing, eye movement, speech, and mental ability. It progresses more rapidly than Parkinson’s.

 

Corticobasal syndrome

It is a condition where a type of protein called tau, buildups in the brain. The symptoms are similar to those of Parkinson’s disease but it also has dementia symptoms.

 

Dementia with Lewy bodies

It is a condition where a protein called Lewy bodies, buildups in the brain. It has mental symptoms along with usual Parkinson’s symptoms.

 

Vascular parkinsonism

It is a condition where movements are restricted or slowed because of multiple small strokes in areas of the brain which control motor skills.

 

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

It is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in brain cavities which can put pressure on the brain causing damage that leads to parkinsonism.

 

 

What Causes Parkinson's Disease ?

• Many of the neurons and nerve cells die in Parkinson’s disease which causes a loss of neurotransmitters called dopamine.
• Decreased dopamine levels lead to impaired movements and other Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
• Though it is not known why this happens.
• Factors affecting Parkinson’s disease are
  • Genetic changes are found to be a cause by many types of research but it is rare even with a family history of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Environmental factors and Surrounding factors can also be a factor like being exposed to certain chemicals but the chances are minimum.

 

 

Prevention of Parkinson's Disease

 

Prevention of Parkinson’s disease is difficult because we don’t know why it happens in the first place. But changes in daily life may help in reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease:

• Doing regular aerobic exercises.
• Researches show that people who consume more caffeine are at less risk of getting Parkinson’s disease. However, it is not known why it is so.

 

Identifying Parkinson’s disease symptoms at early stages and seeking treatment could also help in managing symptoms more easily.

 

 

Treatment

 

• There is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease but medication can help control the symptoms.
• In some cases, surgery may also be advised.
• Lifestyle changes are also advised along with medications to help improve the condition.
• Therapies like physical therapy and speech therapy are recommended to improve Parkinson’s symptoms.

 

Medications

• Medication prescribed by doctors helps to manage Parkinson’s symptoms like tremors, speech, and motor functions like walking and lifting objects.
• The medication is generally used as a substitute for decreased dopamine levels.
• The benefits of medication may reduce with time or become less effective.
• Medication prescribed by a doctor may include

 

Carbidopa-levodopa

• Levodopa is the most effective medication for Parkinson’s disease which is a natural chemical that gets converted into dopamine.
• It is combined with carbidopa, which slows and prevents the levodopa from converting early into dopamine outside of the brain.
• Side effects may include nausea and dizziness when you stand.

 

Inhaled carbidopa-levodopa

• Carbidopa-levodopa can also be taken in inhaled form.
• It is helpful for quick effects when oral medications subside gradually.

 

Combination of carbidopa-levodopa

• Duopa is a brand-name medication comprising both carbidopa and levodopa.
• Though it is delivered through a feeding tube directly to the small intestine in gel form.
• It is generally used in advanced Parkinson’s disease.
  
  

Dopamine agonists

• Dopamine agonists don’t convert into dopamine like levodopa rather they mimic the effects of dopamine in your brain.

 

MAO B Inhibitors

• This medication helps in the breakdown of brain dopamine by preventing the brain enzyme monoamine oxidase B which metabolizes brain dopamine.
• But these come with side effects like headaches, nausea, insomnia, and even hallucinations.

 

Surgery

• Deep brain stimulations are advised by doctors in which the brain is artificial electric signals with electrodes.
• Although it is only used generally doesn’t respond to medication very well in advanced Parkinson’s disease.
• Side effects may include strokes, infections, or brain hemorrhage.

 

 

Health Tips For Parkinson’s Disease

 

There’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease right now that is chronic and worsens over time. In Addition, 50,000 new cases are reported in the United States each year. But it may be even more since Parkinson’s is often misdiagnosed. 

 

Healthy diet

• no proven food helps in Parkinson’s disease but it may help ease the symptoms.
• High fiber food and staying hydrated help constipation which is common with Parkinson’s disease.
• Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids also help.

 

Exercising

• Exercising may help in regaining muscle strength, flexibility, and balance associated with Parkinson’s disease.
• Seeking physical therapy from a specialist is advised.

 

Summary

Parkinson's is a lifelong condition that can be managed with lifestyle changes and medical treatments. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s or if you have been diagnosed and are looking for new ways to manage the condition.