Parkinson’s disease—often called “Parkinson’s”—can begin subtly, almost sneaking up on you. In earlier stages the signs are barely noticeable, but in later stages symptoms may worsen, affecting the quality of life very badly. That’s why understanding the early signs matters. Awareness and early care together can make a real difference. You will learn “how to spot the disease at its earliest stage” and “what are the advanced treatment options available to manage this disease?” in the following blog.
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What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Under the hood, it happens when nerve cells in a part of the brain (the substantia nigra) gradually die or get damaged. These cells produce a chemical called dopamine—a key messenger that helps control body movement. When dopamine levels drop, your brain finds it harder to coordinate movement smoothly.Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremors and impaired movements and gets worse with time. Numerous functions of the body, such as movement, are regulated by the nervous system, a network of nerve cells.
The onset of symptoms is gradual. A barely felt tremor in one hand, foot, or the jaw may be the initial sign. However, the condition can also result in stiffness, slowed movement, and balance issues, all of which increase the risk of falls.
There can be impairment of facial expression in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. When you walk, your arms might not swing. You might start speaking tenderly or slurredly. Over time, symptoms worsen.
Although there is no known cure for Parkinson's disease, medications may alleviate symptoms. In order to help manage certain areas of the brain, your doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure might help in reducing the severity of the symptoms.
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What are the Causes of Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson's disease causes neurons, which are brain nerve cells, to gradually degenerate or die. A loss of neurons that release a chemical messenger (dopamine) in the brain is responsible for many symptoms of Parkinson's disease.Brain activity becomes erratic when dopamine levels decline, causing movement problems. Parkinson's disease patients also lose norepinephrine, a chemical messenger that regulates a number of bodily processes, including blood pressure.
What are the Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease?
Each person may experience Parkinson's disease symptoms differently. You might not even be aware of the subtle early signs. Usually, symptoms start on one side of the body before spreading to the other. One side often has more severe symptoms than the other. Certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease resemble those of other conditions.Loss of muscular control is one of Parkinson's disease's most well-known symptoms. Experts now understand and can explain that Parkinson's disease symptoms are not limited to problems with muscular function. Following are the early signs and symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease:
- Slowed movements (bradykinesia)
- Tremor while muscles are at rest
- Rigidity or stiffness
- Unstable posture or walking gait
- Blinking less often than usual
- Cramped or small handwriting (micrographia)
- Drooling
- Mask-like facial expression (hypomimia)
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Unusually soft speaking voice (hypophonia)
- Autonomic nervous system symptoms
- Depression
- Loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
- Sleep problems
- Trouble thinking and focusing (Parkinson’s-related dementia)
How Is Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease Done?
Numerous imaging and diagnostic tests are advised when doctors suspect Parkinson's disease or need to rule out other medical conditions. Following are such tests:- Blood tests (these can help rule out other forms of parkinsonism).
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Genetic testing
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
What are the Advances in the Care of Parkinson’s Disease?
Following are the advanced treatment options available to manage Parkinson’s disease:- Medications: There are two types of medication therapies for Parkinson's disease: direct treatments and symptom treatments. Treating the root cause of Parkinson's is the mainstay of direct therapies. Symptomatic care is focused only on reducing symptoms but not on treating the root cause of the disorder.
- Deep brain stimulation: In the past, surgery was used to deliberately injure and scar a section of your brain that was malfunctioning due to Parkinson's disease. Today, deep-brain stimulation may achieve the same effect by delivering a modest electrical current to the same spots via an implanted device. The primary benefit is that deep brain stimulation is reversible, whereas deliberate scarring damage is not. This therapeutic strategy is virtually always a possibility in the late stages of Parkinson's disease, when medications are not successful, and in those who have tremors that do not appear to react to standard treatments.
- Emerging experimental treatments: Researchers are looking into different viable therapies for Parkinson's disease. While not generally available, they do provide hope to those suffering from this ailment. Some of the experimental therapy techniques are:
- Stem cell transplants
- Neuron repair treatment
- Gene therapies and gene-targeted treatments
Conclusion
Parkinson's disease is a highly prevalent ailment that affects people as they age. While Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, there are several treatment options available to manage its symptoms. These include medications, surgery to implant brain-stimulation devices, and more. People can now live with the condition for years, if not decades, with advanced care.Shaky hands aren’t always because you’re tired or hungry. The best neurologists of India at Asian Heart Institute are here to help you to manage Parkinson’s disease with advanced techniques. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: Is Parkinson's disease potentially fatal?A: No, Parkinson's disease by itself is not deadly. However, it may exacerbate other illnesses or issues that may be potentially life-threatening.
Q2: Is there a cure for Parkinson's disease?
A: No, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. It can be treated, though, and many of the therapies are very successful. Delaying the disease's progression and appearance of more severe symptoms is also possible.
Q3: How does Parkinson's disease progress?
A: The exact cause of Parkinson's disease in most of the cases is yet unknown to the experts. There can be hereditary factors behind it, which means that one or both of your parents may have this disease.
