Do you sometimes think about the diseases that come with age? One such disease is Parkinson's disease. You may have heard of it. Although it is a serious condition, it is very important to have a correct understanding of it. So today, let's talk about what Parkinson's disease is, how it develops, what are the symptoms, and whether there is a treatment.
What is Parkinson's Disease? Simply put...
Simply put, Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of your brain gradually weaken, and symptoms get worse over time. Most people know the disease because it affects muscle control, walking, balance, and movement. But it can also affect many other things, including your senses, thinking, and mental health. Like an aging machine, parts of your brain stop working properly.
Who is most affected by this disease?
The risk of developing Parkinson's disease increases with age. The average age of onset of the disease is around 60 years. It also appears to be slightly more common in men than in women.
However, although it is often associated with age, it can sometimes develop in young adults, such as those in their 20s. However, it is very rare. If a young person develops it, it is likely that a parent, brother, sister, or child of that person also has the disease.
How common is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is actually a more common disease than you might think. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease of the brain with age. It is also the most common motor brain disease. Experts estimate that at least 1% of people over the age of 60 worldwide have this disease.
How does this disease affect your body?
Parkinson's disease causes a specific area of your brain called the basal ganglia to gradually weaken. As this area weakens, you gradually lose the ability to control it. Researchers have found that Parkinson's disease causes major changes in the chemistry of your brain.
Normally, your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to control how brain cells (neurons) communicate with each other. When you have Parkinson's disease, your brain doesn't have enough of one of these neurotransmitters, a key chemical called dopamine .
When your brain sends signals to your muscles to move, those movements are finely tuned using cells that require dopamine. When dopamine is low, the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are slow movements and tremors.
As Parkinson's disease progresses, symptoms become more widespread and severe. In the later stages of the disease, brain function can be affected, leading to symptoms such as dementia and depression .
What is the difference between Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism?
"Parkinsonism" is a general term that includes Parkinson's disease and a number of other conditions that have similar symptoms. That is, the term can be used not only for Parkinson's disease, but also for other conditions such as Multiple System Atrophy or Corticobasal Degeneration . Simply put, Parkinsonism is like a big umbrella, and Parkinson's disease is just one of the conditions under that umbrella.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
The most well-known symptoms of Parkinson's disease are those related to loss of muscle control. However, experts now know that problems with muscle control are not the only symptoms of the disease.
Motor-related symptoms
These are called motor symptoms, meaning those related to movement.
- Slowness of movement (Bradykinesia): This is a must-have symptom to diagnose Parkinson's disease. People with this condition may describe their muscles as feeling weak, but it's actually a problem with muscle control, not a loss of strength. It's like your limbs are stuck, and you have to work slowly.
- Resting tremor: This is a rhythmic tremor that occurs even when the muscles are not being used. It occurs in about 80% of people with Parkinson's. This is different from a condition called essential tremor . In essential tremor, the muscles do not usually tremble when they are at rest.
- Muscle rigidity or stiffness: Lead-pipe rigidity and cogwheel rigidity are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Lead-pipe rigidity is a persistent, unchanging stiffness that occurs when a part of the body is moved. Cogwheel rigidity occurs when tremors and lead-pipe rigidity are combined. It gets its name because the movements seem to be jerky and stop (think of it like the seconds hand on an old clock).
- Unstable posture or walking gait: Slowness and stiffness of movement, resulting in a stooped, stooped posture. This usually becomes apparent as the disease progresses. This is noticeable when a person walks, as they walk with small steps and do not swing their arms much. They also have to take several steps when turning.
There may also be additional symptoms related to other movements:
- Decreased eye blinking frequency: This is also a sign of decreased facial muscle control.
- Small, scrunched-up handwriting (Micrographia): This is caused by muscle control problems.
- Drooling: This is also due to loss of facial muscle control.
- Hypomimia: This means that facial expressions change very little, or do not change at all.
- Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia): This is caused by a loss of control over the muscles in the throat. This increases the risk of problems such as pneumonia or choking.
- Abnormally low speaking voice (Hypophonia): This is caused by a loss of muscle control in the throat and chest.
Non-motor symptoms
There are also several symptoms that are not related to movement and muscle control. In the past, experts thought that these non-movement symptoms, if they appeared before the movement-related symptoms, were risk factors for the disease. However, there is now increasing evidence that these symptoms can also appear in the early stages of the disease. This means that these symptoms may be warning signs that precede the movement-related symptoms by years, even decades.
Symptoms not related to movement (which may be early warning signs are highlighted in bold ):
- Autonomic nervous system symptoms: These include orthostatic hypotension , constipation and gastrointestinal problems, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunctions.
- Depression.
- Loss of sense of smell (anosmia).
- Sleep problems: Examples include periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) , rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder, and restless legs syndrome.
- Difficulty thinking and concentrating (Parkinson's-related dementia).
Are there stages of Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease can take years, even decades, to cause serious symptoms. In 1967, two specialists named Margaret Horn and Melvin Yar developed a classification system for Parkinson's disease. However, that classification system is no longer widely used. Rather than classifying the disease, it is more useful to determine how the disease affects each person individually and treat them accordingly.
Currently, the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) is the main method doctors use to classify the disease. The MDS-UPDRS measures four different aspects of how Parkinson's disease affects you:
- Part 1: Non-motor aspects of daily life experiences. This part looks at symptoms related to mental health and mental abilities, such as dementia, depression, and anxiety, that are not related to motor activities. It also asks about things like pain, constipation, incontinence, and fatigue.
- Part 2: Movement-related aspects of daily living experiences. This part looks at the impact on movement-related tasks and abilities. This includes things like the ability to speak, how to eat, chew, and swallow, whether you can dress yourself, bathe yourself, and whether you have tremors.
- Part 3: Movement test. A doctor uses this part to determine the movement-related effects of Parkinson's disease. These tests measure things like your speech, facial expressions, stiffness, walking pattern and speed, balance, speed of movement, and tremors.
- Part 4: Movement problems. This part is where your doctor determines how much your Parkinson's symptoms are affecting your life. This includes how much time you have certain symptoms per day and whether they affect the way you spend your time.
What causes this disease?
Although several risk factors have been identified that may contribute to Parkinson's disease (for example, exposure to pesticides), the only confirmed cause is genetic influences. When Parkinson's disease is not genetic, experts classify it as "idiopathic." This means that they don't know exactly why it develops.
In most cases, it is difficult to find a specific cause for Parkinson's disease, but research is ongoing.
Familial Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease can run in families. This means you can inherit it from one or both of your parents. However, this only accounts for about 10% of all cases. Experts have identified at least seven genes linked to Parkinson's disease.
Idiopathic Parkinson's disease
Experts believe that Parkinson’s disease, of unknown cause, is caused by problems with the way your body uses a protein called alpha-synuclein . Proteins are chemical molecules that have a very specific shape. When some proteins lose their correct shape – this is called protein misfolding – your body can’t use them or break them down.
Because there is nowhere to go, these proteins accumulate in various places or in some cells (these proteins clump together and form aggregates called Lewy bodies ). The accumulation of these Lewy bodies causes toxic effects on cells and damages them. This misfolding of these proteins is seen in a number of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease .
Induced parkinsonism
There are some conditions or causes that have been linked to Parkinsonism. Although these are not the same as Parkinson's disease, they have similar symptoms, so doctors consider these causes when diagnosing Parkinson's disease.
- Medications: Some medications can cause Parkinson's-like effects. These effects are often temporary if the medication is stopped.
- Encephalitis: Swelling of the brain, also known as encephalitis, can sometimes cause Parkinsonism.
- Toxins: Exposure to things like manganese dust, carbon monoxide, welding fumes, and some pesticides can also cause Parkinson's disease.
- Damage caused by injuries: Repeated head injuries from sports such as boxing, football, and hockey can cause brain damage. This is called "post-traumatic parkinsonism."
Is this a contagious disease?
No, Parkinson's disease is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else.
How to diagnose the disease?
Diagnosing Parkinson's disease is often a clinical process. This means that a doctor will often make a diagnosis by examining your symptoms, asking questions, and reviewing your medical history. Some diagnostic and laboratory tests may be performed, but they are usually needed to rule out other conditions or causes.
Unless you are not responding to treatment for Parkinson's disease, you probably don't need many lab tests. If you are not responding, it could indicate that you have another condition.
What tests are used to diagnose the disease?
When doctors suspect Parkinson's disease or need to rule out other diseases, they may order a variety of imaging and diagnostic tests. Some of these include:
- Blood tests (these help rule out other types of Parkinson's).
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Genetic testing.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
There are also new laboratory tests.
Researchers have found ways to detect some indicators of Parkinson's disease. Both of these new tests are related to the protein alpha-synuclein, but they test it in a new, unusual way.
- Spinal tap/lumbar puncture: This test looks for misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Skin biopsy: Another test involves taking a sample of nerve tissue from the surface of your skin (biopsy). This can check if you have a defect in the alpha-synuclein protein that increases your risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
How is it treated? Can it be completely cured?
Currently, Parkinson's disease cannot be cured completely. However, there are many ways to control its symptoms. Treatment can vary from person to person, depending on their symptoms and how well treatment is working. Medication is the main way to treat this disease.
A second treatment option is to have surgery to implant a device that delivers gentle electrical currents to a part of your brain (this is called Deep Brain Stimulation). There are also some research-based options, such as stem cell-based treatments, but they are not available to everyone.
What medications and treatments are used?
Drug treatments for Parkinson's disease fall into two main categories: direct treatments and symptomatic treatments. Direct treatments target Parkinson's disease itself. Symptomatic treatments only treat some of the effects of the disease.
Medications
Medications that treat Parkinson's disease work in different ways.
- Dopamine supplementation: Medications like Levodopa can increase the amount of dopamine in your brain. This medication is almost always effective. If it doesn't work, it's usually a sign of another Parkinson's condition, not Parkinson's. Levodopa can have side effects when used for a long time, and its effectiveness may decrease.
- Dopamine-like action: Dopamine agonists are drugs that have effects similar to dopamine. They are often given to young patients to delay the start of levodopa.
- Dopamine inhibitors: Your body has natural processes that break down neurotransmitters like dopamine. Medications that stop this breakdown can help keep more dopamine in the brain.
- Levodopa inhibitors: These medications slow down the rate at which your body processes Levodopa, allowing it to work for longer.
- Adenosine blocking drugs: Drugs that block the way some cells use adenosine can have an additive effect when given with levodopa.
There are also several medications that treat specific symptoms of Parkinson's disease. For example:
- Sexual immorality.
- Fatigue or drowsiness.
- Constipation.
- Sleep problems.
- Depression.
- Dementia.
- Anxiety.
- Hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms.
Deep Brain Stimulation
In the past, there were surgeries that deliberately damaged and scarred the part of the brain that was malfunctioning due to Parkinson's disease. Today, a similar effect can be achieved with Deep Brain Stimulation . In this, a device implanted in the body delivers a gentle electrical current to those parts of the brain.
The biggest advantage of this is that Deep Brain Stimulation is reversible. However, intentional scarring cannot be reversed.
Experimental treatments
Researchers are exploring other treatments that may help with Parkinson's disease, including stem cell transplants , neuron-repair treatments , and gene therapies .
How can I manage my symptoms if I don't take care of myself?
Parkinson's disease is not a disease that you can diagnose yourself. Do not try to manage your symptoms without talking to a doctor.
How quickly will I feel better after treatment?
This depends on many things, such as the type of treatment and the severity of the disease. Your doctor is the best person to give you information about this.
What can I expect if I have this disease?
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative condition. This means that the effects on the brain get worse over time. However, it usually takes time for the disease to get worse. Most people can live a normal life with this disease.
In the early stages, you may need less help and be able to live independently. As the effects become more severe, you may need medication to control your symptoms. Many medications, especially Levodopa, are somewhat or very effective once you find the lowest dose that works for your symptoms.
How long does Parkinson's disease last?
Because Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, it is a permanent, lifelong condition.
What is the outlook for Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is not fatal. However, the symptoms and effects can sometimes be fatal. However, with advances in treatment, the life expectancy of people with this disease has increased significantly.
How can I reduce or prevent the risk of developing this disease?
Parkinson's disease is either caused by genetic factors or by an unexpected event. Neither of these can be prevented, nor can the risk be reduced. Although people who work in agriculture or welding are said to be at higher risk, not everyone develops Parkinson's disease.
How can I take care of myself?
If you have Parkinson's disease, the best thing you can do is take care of yourself as your doctor recommends.
- Take your medication as directed: Taking your medication correctly can make a big difference in Parkinson's symptoms.
- See your doctor as recommended: These appointments are very important to manage your condition and find the right medication and dosage.
- Don't ignore symptoms: Parkinson's disease can cause a variety of symptoms. Many of these can be treated.
Some frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How does someone get Parkinson's disease?
Experts don't know the cause of most Parkinson's cases. About 10% are genetic. The remaining 90% are idiopathic.
What are the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease?
Early symptoms may be motor (slow movement, tremor, rigidity) or non-motor. Non-motor symptoms (e.g., loss of smell (anosmia) , constipation , sleep problems , orthostatic hypotension ) may begin years before motor symptoms appear.
Is Parkinson's disease fatal?
No, Parkinson's disease is not fatal on its own. However, it can contribute to other potentially fatal conditions.
Can Parkinson's disease be cured?
No, Parkinson's disease cannot be cured. However, it can be treated, and many treatments are very effective. It may even be possible to delay the progression of the disease and the onset of severe symptoms.
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
Parkinson's disease is a serious, long-term condition, but it's nothing to be afraid of. With current treatments, many people can manage their symptoms well and live normal lives.
The most important thing is to seek medical advice immediately if you or someone close to you has these symptoms. The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins, the better the outcome. It is also very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They will be happy to help you.
` Parkinson's, brain diseases, neurological diseases, movement disorders, dopamine, levodopa, aging health
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