How Many Types Of Parkinson’s Are There

Parkinsonian Disorders And Levodopa

Various parkinsonian disorders can be categorized based on how they respond to the medication called levodopa. PD tends to respond well to levodopa therapies, while most atypical parkinsonian disorders do not. Sometimes people with parkinsonian symptoms who do not respond well to levodopa may be referred to as having parkinsonism. This can be confusing since parkinsonism technically refers to a set of movement symptoms, rather than a specific diagnosis.

Parkinsons Disease: An Introductory Guide

This guide will help you better understand Parkinsons. Developed and authored with the McGill University Health Centre Patient Education Office with support from Parkinson Canada, it describes the illness, changes in your body over time, treatment and care options, possible health problems, as well as when and where you can find more help.

The focus of this resource is on providing you with the tools to understand Parkinsons, and to live well. You are encouraged to review this guide with your family. Bring it with you to your appointments with your health care team.

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Parkinsons Disease: An Introductory Guide is made available to anyone, anywhere in Canada.

What Kind Of Parkinsons Are There

Secondary parkinsonism includes drug-induced parkinsonism, vascular parkinsonism, normal pressure hydrocephalus , corticobasal degeneration , progressive supranuclear palsy , and multiple system atrophy .

You may ask, What is the difference between Parkinsons disease and Parkinsonism?

Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people. Parkinsonism is a general term that refers to a group of neurological disorders that cause movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinsons disease such as tremors, slow movement and stiffness.

Recommended Reading: How Long Can Someone Live With Parkinsons

Also Check: Does Parkinson’s Cause Pain

Is Parkinsons Disease Fatal

Parkinsons disease itself doesnt cause death. However, symptoms related to Parkinsons can be fatal. For example, injuries that occur because of a fall or problems associated with dementia can be fatal.

Some people with Parkinsons experience difficulty swallowing. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia. This condition is caused when foods, or other foreign objects, are inhaled into the lungs.

Symptomatic Treatment Of Motor Symptoms

Levodopa

A majority of patients with PD require levodopa therapy within 2 years of symptom onset. Levodopa, the most effective drug in the treatment of PD, is almost always combined with carbidopa or benserazide, aromatic acid decarboxylase inhibitors that prevent its peripheral metabolism and markedly reduce the risk of nausea. Increasing the ratio of carbidopa:levodopa from the current standard 1:4 has been shown to increase on time without dyskinesia and reduce off time.

The global antiparkinsonian efficacy of levodopa is so predictable that a positive therapeutic response is used to support the diagnosis of PD. Adverse effects of levodopa include nausea and vomiting, orthostatic hypotension, sedation, confusion, sleep disturbance, hallucinations and dyskinesias. There are many different types of dyskinesia but peak-dose chorea or stereotypy and wearing off dystonia are most common. About half of the patients experience wearing off, and a third experience dyskinesias within 2 years after initiation of levodopa therapy. Latency from ingestion of levodopa to observable therapeutic benefit can be shortened by taking levodopa on an empty stomach , avoiding or reducing protein intake, or by crushing the levodopa tablet and mixing it with a carbonated beverage.

Other drugs

Besides levodopa, there are many other types of medications available for the treatment of PD-related motor symptoms: anticholinergics, amantadine, MAOIs, COMTIs, dopamine agonists and istradefylline.

You May Like: Early Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease

Natural Ways To Treat Parkinsons

1. Exercise: The neuroactivity that occurs in your brain needs to be protected, and according to researchers, exercise increases the protection of that activity. Researchers have related exercising to taking medicationif you dont continue to do it, you will not see distinctive results.

2. Medication: The key to taking your Parkinsons medication is timing. The medication will eventually wear off, so you want to ensure that you take your medication at scheduled times.

3. Dietary habits: A strict diet will also impact how effective the medication will work and it can help manage the symptoms. Avoid heavy proteinprotein can interfere with a commonly-prescribed Parkinsons medication called levodopa. You shouldnt obtain more than 12% of your daily calories from protein. In order to properly follow a low-protein diet, you will want to carefully read the labels of every product you purchase work with your doctor or dietitian to properly structure a diet plan.

Also read: Beat Away Parkinsons Disease with Boxing, Tai Chi

4. Lifestyle changes: Making certain changes at home can also make it significantly easier for people to function and deal with Parkinsons symptoms. For example, hiring the services of an occupational therapist may be a good idea. This type of therapist will generally look at where your furniture is placed to make it easier for you to maneuver around or where to place extra railings and extensions for your toilets.

What Tests Will Be Done To Diagnose This Condition

When healthcare providers suspect a condition that falls under parkinsonism, various imaging and diagnostic tests are possible. These include:

• Positron emission tomography scan.

New lab tests forthcoming

There are also new lab tests that, while still experimental or waiting for approval, might be able to help with diagnosing Parkinson’s disease or other conditions like it. These tests look for misfolded or malfunctioning alpha-synuclein proteins in your cerebrospinal fluid or nerves. But more research and testing are necessary before these tests are widely available.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take Parkinson’s To Progress

How Can I Prevent This Condition Or Reduce My Risk Of Developing It

Parkinsonism happens unpredictably in most cases, so it’s usually impossible to prevent it or reduce your risk of developing it. However, there are specific types of secondary parkinsonism that you can reduce the risk of developing. These are:

• Toxin-induced parkinsonism. Its possible to reduce your risk of developing this type of parkinsonism by avoiding toxins or substances that can cause it or by using safety equipment to reduce your exposure to these substances when you cant avoid them.
• Post-traumatic parkinsonism. You can reduce your risk of developing this by using safety equipment to protect yourself from head injuries.
• Vascular parkinsonism. Reducing your risk of developing this involves taking care of your circulatory health, especially the circulation in your brain. Managing this involves maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you, eating a balanced diet and staying physically active.

How To Find The Best Chiropractor In Woburn Massachusetts

About Us

123 Chiropractors is the go-to resource for chiropractic news, information and directories. Our mission is to make it easy for people to find a quality chiropractor in their area, and to help them stay informed on all things chiropractic. Our blog provides valuable insights and information on a range of topics, from spine health to pregnancy care. And our directory makes it easy for people to find a qualified chiropractor in their area. We’re here to help you get healthy and stay healthy!

Most Read Today

Read Also: Parkinson’s Disease Occurs When

What Is Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsonism is an umbrella term used to cover a range of conditions that share similar symptoms to Parkinson’s.

Some, including healthcare professionals and people living with the condition, will say Parkinsons disease, or PD for short.

We call it Parkinsons. We dont use the word disease because some people with Parkinsons have told us it sounds negative, or like an infectious illness. But unlike the flu or measles, you can’t catch Parkinson’s from someone.

We don’t yet know exactly why people get Parkinson’s. Researchers think it’s a combination of age, genetic, and environmental factors that cause the dopamine-producing nerve cells to die. But they agree Parkinson’s is not infectious, so we avoid the term disease.

How Is Parkinsons Disease Diagnosed

Diagnosing Parkinsons disease is sometimes difficult, since early symptoms can mimic other disorders and there are no specific blood or other laboratory tests to diagnose the disease. Imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans, may be used to rule out other disorders that cause similar symptoms.

To diagnose Parkinsons disease, you will be asked about your medical history and family history of neurologic disorders as well as your current symptoms, medications and possible exposure to toxins. Your doctor will look for signs of tremor and muscle rigidity, watch you walk, check your posture and coordination and look for slowness of movement.

If you think you may have Parkinsons disease, you should probably see a neurologist, preferably a movement disorders-trained neurologist. The treatment decisions made early in the illness can affect the long-term success of the treatment.

Dont Miss: Does Parkinsons Cause Weight Gain

Recommended Reading: Treatments Available For Parkinson’s Disease

Research Roundup: Two Types Of Parkinson’s Disease And More

Every week there are numerous scientific studies published. Heres a look at some of the more interesting ones.

Parkinsons Disease is Actually Two Diseases

Researchers from Aarhus Universityin Denmark indicating that Parkinsons disease is actually two types of the disease. This helps explain why there are so many different symptoms and pathways. Parkinsons is marked by slow deterioration of the brain from accumulation of alpha-synuclein, a protein that damages nerve cells. This causes slow, stiff movements. Some patients apparently have damage to the brains dopamine system before damage in the intestines and heart occurs. Other patients have damage to the nervous systems of the intestines and heart before the damage in the brains dopamine system. The research was published in the journal Brain.

With the help of advanced scanning techniques, weve shown that Parkinsons disease can be divided into two variants, which start in different places in the body, said Per Borghammer, professor of clinical medicine at Aarhus University. For some patients, the disease starts in the intestines and spreads from there to the brain through neural connections. For others, the disease starts in the brain and spreads to the intestines and other organs such as the heart.

Epigenetic Changes May Explain Why Humans Live Longer than Other Primates

Biomarker for Neurodegeneration Identified in the Eye

Children and Adults Have Two Distinct Immune Responses to COVID-19

Stage Two Of Parkinsons Disease

Stage two is still considered early disease in PD, and it is characterized by symptoms on both sides of the body or at the midline without impairment to balance. Stage two may develop months or years after stage one.

Symptoms of PD in stage two may include the loss of facial expression on both sides of the face, decreased blinking, speech abnormalities, soft voice, monotone voice, fading volume after starting to speak loudly, slurring speech, stiffness or rigidity of the muscles in the trunk that may result in neck or back pain, stooped posture, and general slowness in all activities of daily living. However, at this stage the individual is still able to perform tasks of daily living.

Diagnosis may be easy at this stage if the patient has a tremor however, if stage one was missed and the only symptoms of stage two are slowness or lack of spontaneous movement, PD could be misinterpreted as only advancing age.

Also Check: Orthostatic Hypotension Parkinson’s Disease Management

Different Types Of Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism can be categorized into four different types. These are:

Primary parkinsonism, Familial neurodegenerative conditions causing parkinsonism.

What is Primary parkinsonism?Primary parkinsonism is due to idiopathic Parkinsons disease. It includes sporadic and familial cases and accounts for about 80% of parkinsonism cases.

What is Secondary parkinsonism?This form of parkinsonism, can be caused by a variety of issues. These include drug induced, infections, toxins, vascular, trauma to brain, hemi-atrophy hemi-parkinsonism, brain tumors, normal pressure hydrocephalus, hypoxia, and metabolic dysfunction.

What is atypical parkinsonism?Most experts include Parkinson plus conditions such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, and corticobasal degeneration in atypical parkinsonism. The response of these conditions to the dopaminergic medications is usually poor. These cases of parkinsonism may be difficult to distinguish from idiopathic Parkinsons disease especially early in the course the disease.

Two other Parkinson plus conditions are progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasilar degeneration . They differ from Parkinsons disease in that:

i. their neurons do not contain Lewy bodies, but rather a series of intertwined fragments of tau protein ii. target neurons in the globus pallidus and putamenin addition to those in the substantia nigraare destroyed iii. levodopa, typically, elicits no response in these patients.

Notice44

Whats The Difference Between Vascular Parkinsonism And Parkinsons

As the name implies, vascular parkinsonism is caused by cerebrovascular disease which affects the blood supply to the brain. Vascular parkinsonism is caused by one or more small strokes, while Parkinsons is caused by a gradual loss of nerve cells. One major difference from Parkinsons is that its not progressive, while Parkinsons becomes worse with time. Another difference is that there are no tremors in vascular parkinsonism.

For more information on vascular parkinsonism, read this journal article.

Also Check: Parkinson’s Disease Foods To Avoid

Tremors In Parkinsons Disease: What They Are Types Of Tremors And More

Getting the trembling associated with Parkinsons under control can be a challenge, but treatments can help.

Nicole Rerk/Shutterstock

Tremors are a defining characteristic of Parkinsons disease, affecting about 8 out of 10 people with this movement disorder. Many people think the involuntary shaking motion is the main problem for patients. While it is certainly an irritating symptom that individuals want to get under control, other characteristics of the disease can be more debilitating.

Dont Miss: Is There Pain With Parkinsons

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider

You should see your healthcare provider as recommended or if you notice changes in your symptoms, especially if the symptoms start to interfere with your life and routine. You should also see your provider if you notice any changes in the effectiveness of your medication.

When should I go to ER?

Your healthcare provider can give you guidance and information on signs or symptoms that mean you need to go to the hospital or get medical attention. In general, you should get medical attention if you fall, especially when you lose consciousness or might have an injury to your head, neck, chest, back or abdomen.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Parkinsonism is a term that covers a wide range of conditions that affect your ability to move and live independently. While these conditions all share certain similarities, they also can have major differences from each other. If youre diagnosed with parkinsonism, its important to talk to your healthcare provider about what condition you have , and what that diagnosis means for you. Not all parkinsonism conditions are the same, so understanding your specific case can make a big difference in managing it and how it affects your life.

Recommended Reading: Tai Chi For Parkinson’s

Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease has four main symptoms:

• Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
• Stiffness of the limbs and trunk
• Slowness of movement
• Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls

Other symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking urinary problems or constipationskin problems and sleep disruptions.

Symptoms of Parkinsons and the rate of progression differ among individuals. Sometimes people dismiss early symptoms of Parkinsons as the effects of normal aging. In most cases, there are no medical tests to definitively detect the disease, so it can be difficult to diagnose accurately.

Early symptoms of Parkinsons disease are subtle and occur gradually. For example, affected people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a chair. They may notice that they speak too softly, or that their handwriting is slow and looks cramped or small. Friends or family members may be the first to notice changes in someone with early Parkinsons. They may see that the persons face lacks expression and animation, or that the person does not move an arm or leg normally.

People with Parkinsons often develop a parkinsonian gait that includes a tendency to lean forward, small quick steps as if hurrying forward, and reduced swinging of the arms. They also may have trouble initiating or continuing movement.

Read Also: Do Parkinsons Patients Get Violent

How Is Parkinsonism Diagnosed

You should be referred to a Parkinsons specialist for the diagnosis of any parkinsonism. They may wish to explore different things before giving you a diagnosis.

Your specialist will look at your medical history, ask you about your symptoms and do a medical examination.

Telling the difference between types of parkinsonism isnt always easy, for the following reasons:

• The first symptoms of the different forms of parkinsonism are so similar.
• In many cases, parkinsonism develops gradually. Symptoms that allow your doctor to make a specific diagnosis may only appear as your condition progresses.
• Everyone with parkinsonism is different and has different symptoms.

One of the most useful tests to find out what sort of parkinsonism you may have is to see how you respond to treatment.

If your specialist thinks you have idiopathic Parkinsons, theyll expect you to have a good response to Parkinsons drugs such as levodopa . A good response means that your symptoms will improve. Sometimes, it will only be clear that youve responded to medication when the drug is reduced or stopped, and your symptoms become more obvious again.

If you dont have any response to Parkinsons medication, your specialist will have to look again at your diagnosis.

If you have both unusual symptoms and no response to Parkinsons drugs, this doesnt automatically mean you have another form of parkinsonism. But it will make your specialist want to reconsider your diagnosis.

Current tests available include:

You May Like: Test For Parkinson’s Gene

Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies typically occurs in individuals over the age of 50 and is characterized by the presence of significant and fluctuating thinking, memory, and attention difficulties .

Detailed and recurrent visual hallucinations and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder are additional core symptoms.

Both DLB and PD are characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain. Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein.

Other possible symptoms of DLB include:

• Behavior changes like agitation and aggression

Patients with DLB also commonly experience parkinsonism , although they are not essential for diagnosis.