Finding out that you or a loved one has Parkinson's Disease (PD) causes life to change its course. It can be hard to know what to expect since the symptoms of Parkinson's and the progression of stages are in different ways for different people.
At least 1% of the world's population over the age of 60 is affected by PD. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning that the exact cause is not known. About 10% of cases have a genetic cause, and you see these cases in young people.
Through this blog, you will learn to recognise some early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and how to overcome the difficulties you face while managing these symptoms.
You must have seen an older person having difficulty walking and finding words to talk clearly. The most common explanation for this is age-related changes. But have you ever thought that it could be a sign of Parkinson's Disease?
It occurs because PD is a neurodegenerative disease, meaning there is a constant deterioration of nerve function in the body.
The nerve controls almost everything in your body, from movement to thinking. In someone with PD, you see the degeneration in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra is a critical brain region that produces and releases dopamine. Dopamine affects many systems of the central nervous system, ranging from movement to cognitive executive functions and emotional activity.
That is why someone with PD will have multi-system atrophy symptoms (decreasing in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue).
It is just like having an inefficient voltage supply in your house.
A combination of environmental factors and genes can cause nerve function loss in Parkinson's Disease. One key player in genes is a pesky protein called "α-synuclein," which can go rogue and cause severe damage to the nerve cells.
Interestingly, according to the causes, there are three main types of Parkinson's, with the rare childhood type linked to gene mutation. This type of PD, when it starts before the age of 50, is called early-onset Parkinson's Disease or young-onset Parkinson's Disease. Moreover, having a family member with Parkinson's may increase your own risk of developing it, regardless of whether it's early or late-onset.
According to research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the risk factors of PD are as follows.
Non Modifiable risk | Modifiable Increased Risk |
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Whether you're personally affected by Parkinson's or just curious to learn more, let's see how to recognise some early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
The signs and symptoms can range from simple fatigue to Parkinson's hallucinations. This variation depends upon the progression of the disease. The loss of nerve cells is a slow process. So, the actual symptoms of Parkinson's Disease usually start to develop when you lose around 50% of the nerve cell activity in the substantia nigra of the brain.
So, though the first signs of Parkinson's often may not be motor (movement) related, it's essential to recognise symptoms of Parkinson's Disease as early as possible.
If you have seen someone with Parkinson's Disease, the first thing you may notice in them is the classic symptom: resting tremor.
This earliest symptom of Parkinson's usually affects one upper limb. However, 31-30% of cases of PD first present with a tremor in the lower extremity. There may also be lip, jaw, or tongue tremors.
Read on to learn more about different symptoms and their progression in PD.
Check if any of the following sounds familiar. If they do, you may be experiencing early signs of Parkinson's.
In addition to the above symptoms related to your body movements, some other early symptoms of PD are;
Later features of Parkinson's Disease start showing up after 5-10 years of recognising the first symptoms or diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.
The late signs are;
Other late signs unrelated to your body movements are;
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, you may need an evaluation by a healthcare expert.
In the early stages of Parkinson's Disease, symptoms can be mild, and people may not notice them. But here's another catch. You may not know it, but a condition with similar signs and symptoms like PD can be the cause of what you are experiencing. It is called Parkinsonism, a more dangerous health condition.
When you experience symptoms more than just related to your movements, it's called Parkinsonism and not Parkinson's Disease.
Parkinsonism is a comparatively more rapidly progressive condition than Parkinson's Disease, with hallucinations, delusions, and dementia.
In 1967, Hoehn & Yahr established five stages of Parkinson's Disease (PD) based on the extent of clinical disability - the Hoehn and Yahr Scale of Grading symptoms of PD. Your healthcare provider will use these stages to describe how motor symptoms of PD progress. According to this scale,
Read on to find out which stage of Parkinson's Disease you or your loved one is in.
In the first stage of Parkinson's Disease, you experience mild symptoms that typically do not hinder your daily activities. The symptoms usually affect only one side of the body, including tremors and other movement-related issues. Changes in posture, walking, and facial expressions may also occur during this stage.
As Parkinson's Disease progresses, the symptoms tend to worsen. You may experience tremors, rigidity, and other movement issues affecting both sides of the body or the midline, such as the neck and trunk. Walking may become problematic, and poor posture may be noticeable. While you can still live independently, daily tasks become more challenging and time-consuming.
At the mid-stage of the condition, you may experience a loss of balance, resulting in instability. When turning or being pushed from standing, you experience an increased frequency of falls. Motor symptoms will continue deteriorating, and daily activities will become somewhat restricted. However, you will still be capable of leading an independent life with only mild to moderate disability at this stage.
By this stage, symptoms have fully developed and are severely disabling. Although you can still walk and stand without assistance, you may require a cane or walker for safety reasons. You require significant assistance with daily activities and cannot live independently.
This stage is the most advanced and can be debilitating. You may experience leg stiffness, making it difficult to stand or walk. As a result, it progresses to being bedridden or confined to a wheelchair with required attention around the clock for all activities.
Someone in the end stage of Parkinson's sleeps all the time.
Overall, the most significant 5 signs you will get in Parkinson's Disease are;
Your healthcare provider will diagnose Parkinson's Disease using the signs and symptoms and other tests. Read on to learn how the experts arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.
Apart from the signs and symptoms, diagnosing Parkinson's Disease involves reviewing the patient's medical history, a neurological examination, and sometimes imaging tests.
The aim of treating Parkinson's Disease is to alleviate symptoms and improve the overall quality of life. This protocol often involves a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
It would help if you worked closely with their healthcare team to develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses their needs and concerns.
Parkinson's support groups provide essential emotional support and practical advice. These groups offer a sense of community and understanding, allowing you to share experiences, coping strategies, and resources.
Connecting with others facing similar challenges will make you feel less isolated and better equipped.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive degenerative condition that can leave you disassociated from your surroundings and loved ones. So, identifying and differentiating symptoms of Parkinson's Disease as soon as possible helps you receive appropriate treatment at the right time. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention.
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Book WorkshopWhile Parkinson's can affect anyone, age is a significant risk factor, with most cases diagnosed in people over 60. Additionally, having a family history of Parkinson's or specific genetic mutations can increase risk.
Parkinson's itself is not considered fatal, but complications related to the disease, such as pneumonia or falls, can be life-threatening.
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Yes, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate rest can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Connect with our Ayurvedic Health experts to learn how to use Ayurvedic and holistic lifestyle and dietary techniques to manage Parkinson's symptoms.
Yes, Parkinson's disease can lead to cognitive changes, including difficulties with memory, attention, and executive function.
Family members and caregivers can provide emotional support, assist with daily activities, help manage medications, and encourage participation in physical and social activities.
Yes, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is a surgical option that can help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease in some individuals.