Parkinson Disease

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder that progressively impairs the physical movements of the affected individual. The onset of this disorder is marked by mild tremors in one of the hands, slowing down the usual walking pace, etc.

 

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, it impairs the cognitive abilities of the affected individual, which ultimately leads to a need for personal assistance. 

 

Why Does Parkinson’s Disease Occur?

 

The loss of the neuron cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine is the main trigger of Parkinson’s disease. This degenerative disorder is diagnosed when more than 60% of the dopamine neurons in these cortical structures are destroyed.

 

Namely, by binding to the neuron cells in neurotransmission, dopamine triggers the cellular mechanisms that regulate and control the motor coordination of the body. The ability to move is activated in the basal ganglia, substantia nigra, and the brain’s thalamus.

 

The loss of the neuron cells that produce dopamine impairs the functions of the structures comprising the motor cortex. In this way, this degenerative process results in severe motor dysfunction of the individual affected by Parkinson’s disease. 

 

What Are the Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Since this degenerative disorder mostly affects physical movement, the list of motor symptoms pointing to Parkinson’s disease includes:

  • Involuntary shaking of the extremities or the head;
  • Difficulty in maintaining balance or posture;
  • Slowness of movement;
  • Trembling;
  • Muscle inflexibility.

 

What Are the Later Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, cognitive functions become more affected, evident from the following symptoms:

  • Impaired speech;
  • Difficulty in writing (due to shaking hands and lack of motor coordination);
  • Severe insomnia;
  • Communication difficulties;
  • Difficulty in swallowing;
  • Rigidness of movement;
  • Inability to walk;
  • Hallucinations;
  • Delusions;
  • Dementia.

 

What Are the Stages of Parkinson’s Disease Progression?

There are 5 stages of Parkinson’s disease progression:

  • Stage 1 – The first stage is often marked with hand tremors and changes in posture. The affected individual can carry out daily activities without any significant extra effort. 
  • Stage 2 – The symptoms like body stiffness, tremor on both sides of the body, and more severe physical movement problems occur at this stage of the disease’s progression. Daily activities become more difficult for the patient suffering from Parkinson’s disease. 
  • Stage 3 – In this stage, the affected individual faces difficulties in maintaining balance, leading to dangerous falls. Maintenance of personal hygiene also demands help from an assistant, while the accompanying symptoms of the disease get worse.  
  • Stage 4 – At this stage, the patient with Parkinson’s disease experiences severe limitations in daily life and functioning imposed by the worsened symptoms. A personal assistant is a necessity. 
  • Stage 5 – Difficulty in swallowing, the inability to use the legs, and the occurrence of hallucination and illusions make this stage the most debilitating one. Dementia occurs due to the destruction of a significant number of neuron cells. 

 

Fun Facts

Did you know?

  1. Bradykinesia is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It refers to the impairment of spontaneous movements of the body.
  2. Tremors are involuntary contractions of the muscles that lead to shivering and shaking of parts of the body or the head. It mostly affects the hands (hand tremor), but it’s not unusual for a tremor to occur in the vocal cords, legs, etc. 
  3. Parkinson’s disease cannot be detected and diagnosed by a blood test.
  4. Pneumonia is one of the significant life-threatening medical conditions that often affect individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
  5. Nutrition rich in magnesium can alleviate the discomfort caused by muscle rigidity in Parkinson’s disease patients. 
  6. Smiling or showing a facial expression can require dedicated effort by individuals with Parkinson’s disease. 
  7. April is the month dedicated to raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease. 
  8. The medications administered for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease cannot cure it. They only ease the symptoms of the disease. 
  9. Anxiety and depression are common in patients with Parkinson’s because dopamine levels are directly related to these disorders.  
  10. These patients often suffer from broken bones due to their inability to maintain balance and body stiffness.