What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease can be simply understood as a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. The nervous system consists of connective tissues known as nerve cells. They are responsible for regulating multiple bodily functions, including the movement of our organs such as hands, legs, neck, etc. If any issue affects the nervous system, consequently, it will also lead to challenges in movement-oriented tasks such as walking, picking objects, exercising and other such tasks.
In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, the patient's facial expressions may become blank or weak. Their voice may gradually become faint while speaking. These signs & symptoms worsen with time.
Age-old patients ( more than 60 years of age) are more vulnerable to developing this condition. If a person gets affected by the condition before turning 50, the condition is termed as young-onset Parkinson's, or YOPD.
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Symptoms
Every patient experiences the signs & symptoms of this neurological disorder differently. The initial signs and symptoms might be unnoticeable as they are subtle and gradual in nature. However, as it is a progressive condition, with time, the symptoms become more prominent and visible.
- Tremors:
Shaking that typically begins in the hand and is more likely to occur when the limb is at rest.
- Slowness of movement:
Also known as bradykinesia, this symptom can make it challenging to perform everyday tasks.
- Muscle stiffness:
Referred to as rigidity, this condition can hinder movement and affect facial expressions.
- Sleep problems:
Individuals with Parkinson's may experience insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or other sleep disturbances.
- Loss of smell:
People may notice a decreased ability to smell their favourite foods as they once could.
- Smaller handwriting:
Individuals may observe that their handwriting becomes smaller and less forceful.
- Postural instability:
People may struggle with balance, increasing the risk of falls.
- Constipation:
Parkinson's disease can slow the automatic movements of the digestive system.
- Mental health problems:
Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
- Pain:
Many people may experience discomfort, particularly in the muscles.
- Difficulty speaking & Eating:
Some people may speak too softly or have trouble articulating clearly. They may also struggle with chewing, swallowing, or eating.
Types of Parkinson's Disease
Primary Parkinson's Disease
- Idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A condition in which you experience stiffness, tremors, and slow movements. It occurs in 80-90% of cases.
- Familial Parkinson's disease: it is caused by a genetic mutation in one or more genes. About 15% of people with the disease have a family history of the disease.
Secondary Parkinson's Disease
- Toxin-induced Parkinson's disease: It is caused by exposure to chemicals or drugs that damage brain tissue, specifically the basal ganglia dopamine-sensitive neurons.
- Drug-induced Parkinson's disease: It is caused by toxins or specific medications, antipsychotic drugs and anti-nausea medications that disrupt the brain's dopamine transmission.
- Vascular Parkinsonism: Herein, symptoms are a consequence of small strokes rather than the loss of nerve cells. The disorder advances very slowly in comparison to other types of the condition.
- Post-traumatic Parkinson's disease: If a patient develops Parkinson's disease-related symptoms after a traumatic brain injury, it is categorised as post-traumatic Parkinson's disease
Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes
Parkinson-Plus Syndrome: Also known as atypical parkinsonism, it affects about 10% to 15% of patients. Slow movement and postural instability are common symptoms of this type.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: PSP is a rare brainiac disorder that leads to serious and permanent problems with balance control of the overall body.
Multiple System Atrophy: In this condition, the autonomic nervous system of the patients is severely affected. MSA affects people primarily in their 50s.
Corticobasal Degeneration: CBD involves the loss of nerve cells and shrinkage of many brain areas, leading to loss of function on one side of the body.
Diffuse Lewy Body Disease: In this type, patients can experience progressive intellectual and functional difficulties along with visual hallucinations and less concentration.
Other Forms
Juvenile Parkinson's disease: If a person is affected by the condition before the age of 21, it is known as juvenile Parkinson's disease. It is a rare movement disorder accompanied by symptoms like other types of the condition.
Young-onset Parkinson's disease: If a person gets affected by the condition before turning 50, the condition is termed as young-onset Parkinson's, or YOPD.
Parkinson's disease dementia: In this type, patients can experience a gradual decline in their thinking and decision-making ability with the progression of the condition.
Causes
The condition can manifest in individuals due to a variety of factors. While genetics are considered to be the primary reason behind the onset of the condition, the disorder does not seem to run in families. Environmental factors and toxins can also contribute to the development of this issue.
Ten to fifteen per cent of cases of Parkinson's disease occur due to genetic concerns. Certain changes or abnormalities in genes, like mutations in genetic makeup, can lead to the development of the condition. However, as mentioned above, the disease does not run in families, and who will get affected is quite unpredictable.
If a person is exposed to certain environmental factors, such as exposure to industrial cleaning agents and heavy metal work, the risk of Parkinson's disease may increase. The condition is triggered by exposure to a variety of toxins, including pesticides, herbicides, metals, and industrial chemicals
TIf a person has experienced severe head injury due to an accident, they are more likely to develop this condition. A chronic brain injury can result from repeated head traumas, such as those experienced in contact sports like football, hockey, boxing, etc. This condition is known as post-traumatic parkinsonism (PTP).
Certain medications can have a considerable impact on the nervous system and brain functions. Long-term usage of such medications can also lead to a condition known as drug-induced Parkinsonism (DIP). It is one of the most common nondegenerative causes of disease and can be effectively managed with homeopathic medicine for parkinson disease, especially in the early stage of the condition.
Stages of Parkinson's disease
- Stage 1
The symptoms are mild at this stage and often do not interfere with day-to-day activities. Specific changes in the patient's movement and facial expressions, inability to hold/maintain a good posture, etc., may sometimes be noticed. Fortunately, there are prescription homeopathic medications that can be effective for minimising these types of symptoms in the early stages and further help reduce the progression of the condition.
- Stage 2
Since the symptoms are more pronounced than in the preceding stage, it is frequently regarded as a "moderate" type of illness. During this stage, the disease can affect both sides of the body and may also cause difficulties with speech along with back and neck pain due to difficulties in maintaining the proper posture.
- Stage 3
Stage 3 introduces symptoms like poor reflexes and loss of balance in the patient, while the other symptoms experienced during stage 2 become more severe. Also, the patient experiences falls more often than in the previous stage due to problems with balance and reflexes, causing difficulty in performing daily tasks.
- Stage 4
Motor skills and deep brain stimulation are heavily impacted at this stage, and the patient requires assistance. Cooking, driving, and bathing need the use of assistive equipment such as walkers, as well as more care.
- Stage 5
This is the most severe stage of the condition, and the patient experiences extreme stiffness in their body, confusion, hallucinations, and delusions. It gets extremely challenging for the patient to stand due to stiffness causing difficulties in performing daily tasks. They may sometimes also need a wheelchair and require constant supervision to avoid falls.
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