Parkinson’s Disease Overview
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes slow, long-term degeneration of the central nervous system, which is vital to maintain the normal function of the motor system. As the symptoms begin, a Parkinson's patient will slowly start to lose control over what movements are being made and begin to have more difficulties with movements as simple as walking. Unfortunately, not a lot of information has been discovered about why Parkinson’s disease occurs or what makes an individual more likely to develop it than others, but treatments have been found to help control it.
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Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease
Not everyone has the same experience when it comes to dealing with Parkinson's disease. Symptoms may progress at different rates for different patients and the order in which they occur can easily vary from case to case. The most common symptom, and the one Parkinson's patients and their families typically notice first, is the development of tremors. Tremors due to Parkinson's disease usually start in just one limb or on one side of the body, then slowly spread. They are often triggered by stress or emotional experiences and lessen when the body is relaxed.
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Other Signs And Symptoms
Other common symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tired or stiff muscles, difficulty with basic movements, difficulty with speech, and trouble taking steps. These symptoms limit a patient's ability to fully engage in day-to-day activities. Getting out of chairs, switching positions in bed, and walking at a normal pace are just some of the many things made much more challenging when Parkinson’s disease comes into play. An individual with this disease may also experience an abrupt and complete inability to move for brief periods.
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What Causes Parkinson's Disease?
Little is known about the causes of Parkinson’s disease, but researchers have noted a few consistencies throughout their studies. Certain genes seem to play a role in cases where the individual diagnosed has relatives with the same condition, which suggests there may be some type of connection between genetics and Parkinson’s disease. An individual's environment may also play a role in the potential development of Parkinson's disease, as well as age, gender, and exposure to certain toxins. Men over sixty years old are the most likely to develop this condition.
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What Are The Treatments?
While no cure has been discovered for Parkinson’s disease, great bounds have been made as far as treating it. Lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgeries are all ways in which doctors may attempt to ease the patient's symptoms. Every medication works differently and will not affect everyone the same way. Discovering what works best for each specific case is important in finding comfort. On top of medication, eating healthy, exercising, and remaining socially involved can offer many benefits as far as finding some relief and remaining positive. Patients working with an occupational therapist is a great option to help them master daily activities that may have become more difficult, such as eating or writing.
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Prevention Of Parkinson's Disease
Knowing what could possibly prevent Parkinson’s disease from forming is difficult, as little information is known about what truly causes it to develop in the first place. Figuring out appropriate ways to cope with the disease is important in managing physical and mental health, and it will help in maintaining a normal lifestyle. Parkinson’s disease can trigger a lot of frustration and anger as more and more control gets lost, so turning to friends and family for support is always a good option. Otherwise, there are various support groups and counseling options for those struggling.
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Issues With Swallowing
Issues with swallowing, often called dysphagia, can occur at any point during the progression of Parkinson's disease. Patients may have trouble swallowing certain liquids or foods, clear their throats or cough after they eat or drink, or may feel like food is becoming stuck in their throats. As Parkinson's disease progresses, these symptoms may become more severe and pronounced. One of the dangers is food or liquid will go down the airway and become lodged in the lungs, which leads to aspiration pneumonia. This kind of pneumonia is the most common cause of death for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
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Issues With Urination
A few different issues with urination can occur over the course of Parkinson's disease. One is urinary incontinence, which causes affected individuals to be unable to hold their urine. Another is bladder dysfunction, which can lead to frequent urination and a feeling of an urgent need to urinate. These two problems may sometimes occur together. Urination issues have a significant impact on the quality of life of Parkinson's patients. Research shows around twenty-seven to thirty-nine percent of those with Parkinson's disease experience some kind of difficulty with urination, but total incontinence only occurs in around fifteen percent of patients. It's more common for bladder problems to develop in Parkinson's later stages. The most common problem patients report is frequently and urgently needing to urinate even if their bladder isn't full.
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Cognitive Problems
Cognitive problems commonly occur with Parkinson's disease, though not every patient experiences them. Cognitive issues are problems related to thinking and memory, and the severity of the problems varies widely from case to case. With more mild symptoms, the condition is called 'mild cognitive impairment,' but more serious symptoms that impact everyday life are called dementia. Thinking and memory are complicated areas with dozens of unique aspects. The most commonly reported difficulties are with concentrating and paying attention, problem-solving, multitasking, short-term memory, and being aware of where objects are in relation to the patient. Some Parkinson's disease medications can increase confusion as one of their side effects. If individuals notice cognitive issues in themselves or a loved one with Parkinson's disease, it's important to talk to a doctor to determine the cause and treatment options.
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Dysfunction In Sense Of Smell
Dysfunction in sense of smell commonly occurs with Parkinson's disease, though researchers aren't sure why. Patients may begin losing their sense of smell long before they develop other Parkinson's disease symptoms. In fact, some studies indicate smell loss can be used to indicate individuals at a higher risk for developing Parkinson's disease. One theory for why Parkinson's disease may cause smell loss is the degenerative process might start in both the gut and olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb is the portion of the brain responsible for controlling the individual's ability to smell things. Since smell loss tends to occur slowly over time, many -patients may not notice they have scent-related dysfunction until they're tested.
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Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are especially common in Parkinson's disease patients. In one study, researchers found the average individual with Parkinson's disease got just a little more than five hours of sleep each night. Most sleep researchers recommend at least eight hours of sleep nightly. In addition, the average Parkinson's disease patient woke up twice as often throughout the night as similarly-aged adults without the disease. There are a number of reasons behind the decreased sleep. One is sleep apnea, which causes an affected individual to stop breathing temporarily during the night. Also commonly reported is insomnia, which is a condition that makes it difficult to fall asleep. Some Parkinson's patients wake up frequently, which disrupts the quality of sleep. Urinary issues can also impact sleep when individuals have to get up multiple times to urinate during the night. Some patients report vivid nightmares and dreams accompanied by physical movement because the brain isn't sending signals to stay still during REM sleep. Finally, cognitive and mental issues related to Parkinson's disease, such as confusion, hallucinations, and delusions can play a role in poor sleeping.