Parkinson's Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world, with an alarming prevalence in the UAE. It is a progressive disease whose symptoms may occur over a period of weeks, months or even years.
Living with Parkinson's disease can be extremely challenging. This disease affects the part of the brain that controls movements in the body and, therefore, can make everyday tasks difficult.
Let's know more about Parkinson's disease in detail so we can manage it better.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement in the body.
Dopamine, a substance in the brain, helps in the smooth and coordinated bodily muscle movements in the body. It is produced in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra.
In Parkinson's disease, the cells of the substantia nigra start to die, reducing the levels of dopamine and affecting the muscle movements in the body.
Although this condition is known to affect muscle control, balance and movement, it can also cause many adverse effects on senses, thinking ability, mental health and more.
Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
There are several early signs of Parkinson's that can be observed several years before motor problems even develop. Some of these early symptoms include:
- reduced ability to smell
- constipation
- cramped handwriting
- changes in the voice
- stooped posture
More Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Most people neglect the early signs of Parkinson's. This disease is usually detected through the following four major motor problems:
- tremors
- slow movements
- stiffness in arms, legs and trunk
- problem in balancing
Many people also experience secondary symptoms like:
- muffled speech
- blank facial expression
- reduced blinking and swallowing
- a tendency to fall backwards
- reduced arms swinging while walking
- a tendency to get stuck on a walk
- taking shuffling steps while walking
As Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder, it can cause many more associated symptoms, like seborrheic dermatitis, poor quality of sleep, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, problems with attention and memory and difficulty with visual-spatial relationships.
Causes of Parkinson's Disease
The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is still unknown. Researchers believe it can have both genetic and environmental components. Viruses are also believed to trigger Parkinson's.
How Is Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Doctors usually enquire about health history, conduct a physical and neurological exam and review signs and symptoms to diagnose Parkinson's.
If your doctor suspects Parkinson's disease after diagnosis, they may prescribe certain tests to confirm the condition, such as blood tests, computerised tomography (CT) scan, genetic testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Is Parkinson's Disease Curable?
For now, there is no permanent cure for Parkinson's disease. However, there are multiple ways to manage the symptoms and reduce the progression of the disease.
Available Treatment Options for Parkinson's Disease
Doctors usually treat Parkinson's through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and therapy.
- Lifestyle changes include taking adequate rest, exercising and eating a balanced diet. Practising yoga is also found to be beneficial in managing Parkinson's disease.
- Therapies for Parkinson's usually include speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to improve communication and promote self-care.
- In almost all cases of Parkinson's disease, medication is necessary to manage the physical and mental health symptoms. Some of the most common drugs and medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease are levodopa, dopamine agonists, anticholinergics, amantadine (Symmetrel), COMT inhibitors and MAO-B inhibitors.
Surgery for Parkinson's Disease
Surgical interventions are usually prescribed only to people who do not respond to medication, therapy and lifestyle changes.
The two primary types of surgeries used in Parkinson's are deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and pump-delivered therapy.
How To Prevent Parkinson's Disease?
As the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is known there are no proven ways to prevent the disease.
However, some researchers have shown that aerobic exercise may reduce the risk of Parkinson's. It is also advised to eat a diet rich in antioxidants to protect against the disease.
On a Final Note
Parkinson’s disease is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the UAE. Recognising the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's is, therefore, essential to treat the disease.
References
- https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/institutes-and-specialties/neurological-institute/pages/parkinsons-disease-movement-disorders.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8525-parkinsons-disease-an-overview
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/
- https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Parkinsons-Disease
- https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons
