World Parkinson’s Day is commemorated every yr on April 11 to lift awareness concerning the fastest-growing neurological condition on this planet.

It’s estimated that greater than 10 million people worldwide live with progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when nerve cells within the basal ganglia of the brain liable for movements change into impaired or die. When these nerve cells deteriorate, they lose their ability to supply a crucial brain chemical called dopamine also known as the “feel good” hormone.

Risk aspects

Although the precise reason behind the disease remains to be unknown, scientists imagine a mix of genetic and environmental aspects work together to find out the onset of the disease.

• About 15% of individuals with Parkinson’s disease have a family history of the condition
• Several studies have shown that environmental aspects, including pesticides, air pollution, and industrial solvents, could increase the chance of the disease
• The danger of PD increases with age, although younger people may be affected as well
• Men are 1.5 times more prone to be affected than women
• Repeated injuries to the top can increase one’s risk of developing the condition

Early symptoms

1. Tremor– The involuntary rhythmic shaking happens when the muscles are still which normally goes away with movement. The tremors often start within the fingers or hands with what’s called a pill-rolling motion and may spread to either side of the body. Nevertheless, several other health issues, like multiple sclerosis may cause tremors.

2. Dystonia– Stiffness or cramping in a muscle or limb is an early sign of Parkinson’s disease although stiffness may be brought on by many other conditions. The patients may experience pain within the muscles that restrict their movements.

3. Loss of automatic movements– Certain changes in the power to perform unconscious movements like blinking, smiling, or swinging arms while walking could be a sign of Parkinson’s Disease.

4. Stooped posture– Impaired posture and balance issues are common signs of PD.

5. Changes in writing– Writing may change into a difficult task and the handwriting normally becomes small and cramped because the disease progresses.

6. Speech changes– Most individuals with Parkinson’s are inclined to talk slowly, but some might speak rapidly and stutter. People also experience words getting mumbled or trailed off at the tip of a sentence.

7. Slowed movement– Doing easy tasks like getting up from a chair may change into difficult and time-consuming. The condition may slow the movements and the steps change into shorter while walking.

Treatment

Parkinson’s disease is incurable. Nevertheless, several treatment therapies give attention to slowing the progression of the disease and ensuring a very good quality of life for the patients.

Doctors may prescribe medications reminiscent of Levodopa to regulate tremors. When the medications fail to work, some patients go for a surgery called deep-brain stimulation. Through the procedure, a small current is passed with high frequency through areas of the brain that blocks motor function. The success rate of the treatment is 90% in decreasing or eliminating Parkinson’s tremors.

Common misconceptions

Myth 1: Parkinson’s only affects movements

Although tremors and slowness of movements are essentially the most common signs of the disease in earlier stages, patients also exhibit nonmotor symptoms like cognitive decline, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems within the later stages of the disease.

Myth 2: Parkinson’s patients cannot care for themselves

Only patients within the later stages of the disease may require full or partial assistance while many patients can care for themselves till the condition progresses.

Myth 3:The medications for Parkinson’s cause symptoms

The most well-liked misconception about Parkinson’s is that levodopa is toxic and causes the condition to progress faster. Nevertheless, a big clinical study proved that levodopa helps slow the progression of the disease or has a chronic effect on the symptoms of the disease.

Myth 4: Parkinson’s is fatal

The disease itself is just not fatal like a stroke or heart attack. Nevertheless, because the disease progresses, patients may change into more vulnerable to falls and infections.

Myth 5: The disease has flare-ups after which goes away

Parkinson’s progresses with time. It doesn’t disappear sporadically like many other conditions which have flare-ups and goes away.

Typical Parkinson’s symptoms include hand tremors and movement problems, though it has been difficult to pinpoint a single cause for the neurodegenerative disease.
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