Do you sometimes feel like your body's movements are slower than they used to be? Does it feel like it takes longer to get up from a chair, button a shirt, or even just walk? Although we sometimes don't pay much attention to this, there may be a medical reason behind it. That's what I thought I'd talk about today.
What is Bradykinesia?
Simply put, bradykinesia is the slowing of our body's movements. It is not a disease. However, it can be a major symptom of a movement-related condition, such as Parkinson's disease.
In this, the movements of both parts of our body are slow.
1. Voluntary motions: For example, reaching out to pick up a glass of water.
2. Automatic motions: Think about it, we don't think about waving our arms when we walk, it's something that happens automatically. Things like that can also be reduced or slowed down in this case.
This condition can make it difficult to carry out our daily tasks, and it can also increase the time it takes to get to a job we normally do.
What are the characteristics of this condition?
The symptoms of bradykinesia can vary from person to person, but there are some common symptoms. Let's look at these in a table.
| Symptom | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Decreased facial expression (Hypomimia) | Having a mask-like face, with no clear expression of emotion on the face, such as when smiling or feeling sad. |
| Gait changes | Shuffling your feet while walking, walking without waving your arms. |
| Difficulty with fine motor activities | Difficulty performing delicate tasks such as writing with a pen, buttoning a shirt, or shaving. Handwriting may also become sloppy. |
| Freezing of movement | When you're doing something, you suddenly stop and feel stuck, as if your feet are stuck to the ground. |
| Normal movements take longer to complete | Even simple things like getting up from a chair or rolling over on the other side of the bed take longer than usual. |
| Decreased spontaneous movement | Decreased eye blinking and decreased use of hand and foot gestures while speaking. |
How does bradykinesia feel?
Many people experience stiffness or weakness in their muscles, but what's really happening here is not a loss of muscle strength.
The important thing is that this is more of a communication issue between the brain and the muscles than a muscle issue.
The strange thing is, most of the time the person with this condition doesn't even realize it. It's often a family member, friend, or doctor who first notices the difference.
What causes this?
The main reason for this is the decrease in the level of a chemical called dopamine in our brain. Dopamine is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Simply put, its job is to transmit messages between the nerve cells in our brain. Like a postman.
When this dopamine decreases, the communication between nerve cells slows down. As a result, our movements become slower.
Some of the main causes of bradykinesia are:
- Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism
- Lewy body dementia
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Some medications for mental illness (for example, haloperidol, metoclopramide)
Can bradykinesia occur without Parkinson's disease?
Yes, absolutely. Although the main cause of bradykinesia is Parkinson's disease, this symptom can occur in people without the disease. As I mentioned above, other movement conditions and certain medications can also cause it.
How is it treated?
The treatment for this varies from person to person, depending on the cause of the symptom. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan that is best for you.
The following are commonly used as treatments:
- Providing medicines.
- Regular exercise and staying active.
- Changing the dosage of a medication you are already taking or switching to another medication (this should only be done on the advice of your doctor!).
Some of the most commonly used medications are:
- Levodopa - sometimes given with carbidopa.
- Tolcapone and Entacapone
- MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) - e.g. selegiline
- Amantadine
These medications improve dopamine signaling in the brain. But remember, these medications can have side effects. Also, over time, the effectiveness of some medications (e.g. Levodopa) can decrease. Then this slowness of movement can come back. Don't panic at such times. You can talk to your doctor and change the dosage of the medication or switch to another medication.
What happens if left untreated?
If left untreated, it can gradually become a challenge to perform daily activities. This means that it takes longer to do normal tasks, or it becomes impossible to do those tasks.
Imagine how much trouble it is when even simple things like buttoning a shirt, brushing your teeth, cutting a piece of food with a knife, walking, and getting up become a challenge.
If you're having trouble doing these kinds of daily tasks, definitely talk to your doctor. He or she can provide resources to help you avoid accidents and help you get around the house if you need it.
Take-Home Message
- Bradykinesia is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition, such as Parkinson's disease.
- This is when your body's movements slow down. The main reason for this is a decrease in dopamine levels in the brain.
- If you notice that your or someone in your family's movements have slowed down, don't ignore it. See a doctor immediately.
- There are very effective treatments to manage this condition, so there is no reason to be afraid.
- Never stop taking medication prescribed by your doctor or change the dosage without his advice.
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