Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Age Of Onset

What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Early Onset Parkinson’s

Symptoms of Parkinsons disease and the rate of decline vary widely from person to person. The most common symptoms include:

Other symptoms include:

  • Speech/vocal changes: Speech may be quick, become slurred or be soft in tone. You may hesitate before speaking. The pitch of your voice may become unchanged .
  • Handwriting changes: You handwriting may become smaller and more difficult to read.
  • Depression and anxiety.

Genetics In Yopd And Its Implications For Management

The genetic background of PD is gradually being revealed and consists of the spectrum from common variants that have small contributions to an increased vulnerability, to true monogenic forms . Some of the genes that previously received a PARK locus symbol are in fact unconfirmed, are risk alleles, or if mutated give rise to a more complex phenotype. A new nomenclature of genetic movement disorders, including PD, was recently proposed and has tried to deal with these complexities . Here, we focus on the confirmed genes that can be considered monogenic forms of PD. These mainly include the dominant genes SNCA, LRRK2, GBA, and VPS35, and the recessive genes Parkin, PINK1, DJ1. The common picture from the literature is that PD patients with a mutation in one of these genes present at an earlier age, particularly for the recessive genes and SNCA . So, vice versa, if a PD patient presents at a young age, the option of a genetic etiology is often considered. While next generation sequencing platforms have simplified screening the relevant genes, we have to critically address the question: what is the actual benefit of genetic testing in YOPD?

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What Causes The Condition

Although there are several recognized risk factors for Parkinsons disease, such as exposure to pesticides, for now, the only confirmed causes of Parkinsons disease are genetic. When Parkinsons disease isnt genetic, experts classify it as idiopathic . That means they dont know exactly why it happens.

Many conditions look like Parkinson’s disease but are instead parkinsonism from a specific cause like some psychiatric medications.

Familial Parkinsons disease

Parkinsons disease can have a familial cause, which means you can inherit it from one or both of your parents. However, this only makes up about 10% of all cases.

Experts have linked at least seven different genes to Parkinson’s disease. They’ve linked three of those to early-onset of the condition . Some genetic mutations also cause unique, distinguishing features.

Idiopathic Parkinsons disease

Experts believe idiopathic Parkinsons disease happens because of problems with how your body uses a protein called -synuclein . Proteins are chemical molecules that have a very specific shape. When some proteins dont have the correct shape a problem known as protein misfolding your body cant use them and can’t break them down.

With nowhere to go, the proteins build up in various places or in certain cells . The buildup of these Lewy bodies causes toxic effects and cell damage.

Induced Parkinsonism

The possible causes are:

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This Is When The Flu Is The Most Contagious

According to Dr. Bailey, “Probably for a day prior to onset of symptoms till several days after symptoms appear, but people may be contagious for a week or more after illness begins. When do you stop being contagious? In general, someone is unlikely to be contagious a week after onset of symptoms or 24 hours after resolution of fever and respiratory symptoms individuals who are immunosuppressed may be contagious for a longer period.”

Dr. Pinto-Garcia explains, “The contagion window for the flu can be a bit tricky. You are most contagious for the first 3 to 4 days after you start feeling sick. However, you can start being contagious 24 hours before you even feel any symptoms, making the flu very easy to spread. And, you can still be contagious for up to a week after getting sick, possibly longer for those who have a weakened immune system. To prevent spreading the illness, a good rule of thumb is to stay at home until your fever has been gone, without the help of medication, for at least 24 hours.”

Prevention Of Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons Disease

Researchers dont know of any proven ways to prevent Parkinsons disease, but avoiding certain risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle may help reduce your risk.

Some studies have shown a diet high in antioxidants along with regular exercise may play a role in preventing Parkinsons. Other findings have suggested that compounds like caffeine, niacin, and nicotine may have a protective effect against Parkinsons disease.

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Some Parkinsons Treatment Options

Parkinsons disease has no cure, but there are treatment options to control your symptoms and improve your quality of life which include:

  • Medication. Levodopa and other medications, which are trying to boost dopamine . There are number of those medications which can be used alone or in combination. Although many of those medications can help you significantly control your motor symptoms , you might also experience side effects and diminished efficacy over time.
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are usually part of your treatment plan and can improve your balance, mobility, ability to do daily tasks, and speech.
  • Deep brain stimulation is a surgery performed by a neurosurgeon, and in indicated patients can help with motor symptoms, though non-motor symptoms, such as falls, constipation, low blood pressure and incontinence do not improve.
  • Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that may help sufferers regain some of their balance and strength, as well as decrease the risk of falling. Dance, such as a Zumba, may also help, as can using a stationary bicycle and rock steady boxing.

Many treatment options for Parkinsons are most effective when used in conjunction with others such as taking medication and doing physical therapy.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider Or When Should I Seek Care

You should see your healthcare provider as recommended, or if you notice changes in your symptoms or the effectiveness of your medication. Adjustments to medications and dosages can make a huge difference in how Parkinsons affects your life.

When should I go to ER?

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

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What Is Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinsons disease occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Because PD can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a movement disorder. But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinsons. PD is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that symptoms slowly worsen over time.

The experience of living with Parkinson’s over the course of a lifetime is unique to each person. As symptoms and progression vary from person to person, neither you nor your doctor can predict which symptoms you will get, when you will get them or how severe they will be. Even though broad paths of similarity are observed among individuals with PD as the disease progresses, there is no guarantee you will experience what you see in others.

Estimates suggest that Parkinsons affects nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide.

For an in-depth guide to navigating Parkinsons disease and living well as the disease progresses, check out our Parkinsons 360 toolkit.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Dr. Rachel Dolhun, a movement disorder specialist and vice president of medical communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, breaks down the basics of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson Disease Motor Complications: Dykinesias And Motor Fluctuations

Ask the MD: Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease

More than 50% of patients with PD who have received levodopa for longer than 5 years experience motor complications, and these symptoms are most common in young-onset PD.13 Motor complications are categorized in two subgroups: dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. Patients with motor fluctuations experience alternating on periods when response to medication is good and off periods when there is little response. Interestingly, many of the nonmotor symptoms of PD, including neuropychiatric symptoms and pain, also may fluctuate between on and off states, and treatment strategies are generally the same as for PD motor symptoms .

Early in PD, patients typically have a long, that is, greater than 4-hour, response to levodopa. As the disease advances, this on period becomes progressively shorter. First-line pharmacological strategies to decrease wearing off periods include increasing the dose or the dosing frequency of levodopa . Other strategies include adding a COMT inhibitor such as entacapone or adding an oral dopamine agonist such as pramipexole or ropinirole. Sustained-release carbidopa/levodopa has not been shown to decrease off time.14

Shushant Jain, Andrew B. Singleton, in, 2010

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Some Symptoms Are Unique To Particular Viruses

A runny nose, cough, congestion or sore throat can arise because of any of the three viruses or a common cold. But a loss of taste and smell is more commonly associated with Covid than with flu or RSV. And wheezing is often a tell-tale sign of a serious RSV infection, usually found in kids or older adults.

The only way to know for certain, though, is to get tested.

I dont think anybody would ever go, Hey, listen, I think you have a virus based on your symptoms, and feel confident to say what virus that is, said Dr. Frank Esper, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

Is Parkinsons Disease Fatal

It is important to understand that PD is not considered a fatal condition. As is the case with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia, complications and a patients comorbid conditions are more life-threatening than PD itself. For example, because Parkinsons affects movement, balance and coordination, a patients risk of falling increases as the disease progresses. Falls are notoriously dangerous and a leading cause of injury and death among older adults. Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, is another complication that can develop at any point throughout ones journey with PD, and this can cause aspiration pneumoniaanother leading cause of death in patients.

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Because a persons overall health is an important factor in how Parkinsons progresses, lifestyle choices are vitally important for prolonging both functionality and longevity. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, careful management of preexisting conditions and prevention of new medical issues is crucial.

It is important to work with a well-rounded medical team to understand PD symptoms, explore treatment options and devise a personalized care plan for improving ones overall health, maintaining a high quality of life, and preventing complications.

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What Is The Outlook

Researchers are working to find a cure for Parkinsons, but therapies can ease the symptoms. Also, younger brains have higher neuroplasticity, which means they have more ability to respond to therapy. Young onset Parkinsons disease progresses slower than late onset, but it eventually impacts your ability to complete daily tasks like driving.

One study following 1,221 individuals with Parkinsons disease reveals that people with earlier onset had a longer median survival but a reduced life expectancy than people with the late onset version.

Closely following the treatment plan you and your doctor create can help you manage your symptoms.

Consider making the following lifestyle changes to help navigate your daily routine:

  • Arrange your home with your most-used items in easy-to-reach spots. This will require less energy and movement to complete tasks like cooking.
  • Create a financial backup plan in case you become unable to work. For example, look into your states disability programs.
  • Talk with your doctor about what assistive devices can help you with daily tasks, like getting dressed or walking.
  • Stay active with light exercise like walking or yoga.
  • Refer to the Parkinsons Foundation resources and support page or dial 1-800-437-4636 to discover local Parkinsons resources like exercise classes or support groups.

This Is Who Is At Risk Of Dying From The Flu

What Are Early Warning Signs Of Parkinson

Dr. Bailey states, “As in most years, persons at the extremes of age are at highest risk, along with those with impaired immunity or pre-existing lung and heart conditions. Also, those who are unvaccinated are at higher risk for poor outcomes.”

Dr. Pinto-Garcia adds, “There are a number of risk factors that may increase your risk of developing a severe illness or even dying from the flu. Flu symptoms vary from person-to-person. Some people may experience very mild symptoms while others can get severely ill, with symptoms developing into pneumonia or sepsis. Your vulnerability to severe flu and complications are dependent on a few factors. One factor is your age. Those older than 65 and younger than two years old have a higher risk of complications. Pregnancy is also another risk factor. When you are pregnant, your immune system tends to be weaker so you’re more likely to get sick. Receiving a flu shot while pregnant is important for that extra layer of protection.

People living in group settings like assisted living communities are more likely to come in contact with the flu. Lastly, those living with chronic health conditions tend to be at a greater risk of developing severe flu symptoms. Particularly people who live with asthma and other lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Other conditions that can pose a risk factor include diabetes, obesity, and heart problems.”

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Who Gets Parkinsons Disease

Approximately one million Americans have Parkinsons disease, including three out of every 100 people over the age of 60. Over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinsons disease each year. There is increasing evidence that Parkinsons disease may be inherited . Men are slightly more likely to develop the disease than women.

The average age at which it is diagnosed is 60. However, about 4% of those with Parkinsons disease are diagnosed before age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40. When the diagnosis is made early, it is referred to as young-onset Parkinsons disease.

Demographic Characteristics Of Patients

In The program of multi-centre real-word comprehensive study of anti-PD drugs in China, a total of 96,422 prescription records were extracted from 8,420 outpatients. Among them, 1,134 patients aged 21-50 years, accounting for 13.5% of the PD cohort. The demographic characteristics of patients with YOPD in the year-interval are shown in Table 1. Males accounted for 53.6% of all patients with YOPD. In each year, from 2014 to 2019, patients with YOPD aged 4150 years accounted for the largest proportion . Mental and behavioural disorders and nervous system diseases were the most common comorbidities, with depression/anxiety being the most frequent one.

TABLE 1. Demographic characteristics of patients with young-onset Parkinsons disease from 2014 to 2019 based on each year.

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Age Makes A Big Difference In A Disease’s Symptoms And Severity

RSV is unlikely to make a healthy adult feel very sick, whereas Covid and flu certainly can.

In general, if youre a young healthy adult or youre not in an extreme of age, and you get pretty severe illness, its probably not RSV, Roberts said.

The groups most vulnerable to severe RSV infections are babies, children with lung diseases, adults ages 65 and up and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms can also look different depending on your age and immune status. Many kids are encountering respiratory viruses for the first time this year as they return to regular schooling and socializing, so their bodies may have a harder time clearing the infection, which can lead to more wide-ranging symptoms.

According to Esper, almost a fourth of children have gastrointestinal symptoms from viral infections. That’s less common in adults with seasonal flu or RSV.

People with weakened immune systems, meanwhile, are more likely to develop severe symptoms or pneumonia from any of the three viruses.

Bryans Early Onset Parkinsons Diagnosis

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Bryan is a 35-year-old nurse, rock climber, husband, and new father to a four-month-old baby boy. He is also someone who is living with YOPD. YOPD is defined as Parkinsons that is diagnosed before the age of 50 and includes about 10% of people living with PD. Younger people will experience the disease differently than those who are diagnosed older, in part due to their different life circumstances. Employment, new relationships, and parenthood add particular challenges that those who are diagnosed older may not have to navigate. When and how to disclose the diagnosis is also of particular concern.

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Stooping Or Hunched Posture

People who have Parkinsons disease may notice changes in their posture due to other symptoms of the disease, such as muscle rigidity.

People naturally stand so that their weight is evenly distributed over their feet. However, people who have Parkinsons disease may start bending forward, making them appear hunched or stooped over.

Who Gets Early Onset Parkinsons Disease

About 10%-20% of those diagnosed with Parkinsons disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40. Approximately 60,000 new cases of Parkinsons are diagnosed each year in the United States, meaning somewhere around 6,000 12,000 are young onset patients.

Is it genetic or hereditary?

The cause of Parkinsons disease is not yet known. However, Parkinsons disease has appeared across several generations of some families, which could indicate that certain forms of the disease are hereditary or genetic. Many researchers think that Parkinsons disease may be caused by genetic factors combined with other external factors. The field of genetics is playing an ever greater role in Parkinsons disease research, and scientists are continually working towards determining the cause or causes of PD.

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Seven Signs Of Early Onset Of Parkinsons

There are a number of symptoms that can warn us about early onset of Parkinsons. There are several characters, but we will focus on these seven:

  • Sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorders are insomnia , restless legs syndrome and REM sleep behavior syndrome.
  • Depression. It is one of the first symptoms that occurs and it is actually considered as an early indicator of this disease.
  • Other mood swings. In addition to depressive symptoms, anxiety and apathy are very common. These symptoms can affect the desire to seek help and a solution in a negative way.
  • Cognitive changes. Many people with early-onset Parkinsons usually find it difficult to do more than one thing at a time. Poor performance of tasks, slow thinking, difficulty focusing and concentrating, memory problems and dementia are all symptoms of early onset of Parkinsons.
  • Tremors. Although they usually begin in the hands, they start in other patients in the jaw or in the feet. The most characteristic of these tremors is that they occur when resting.
  • Bradykinesi. This is a gradual loss of spontaneous movement. In general, movements simply become slower. This is one of the most debilitating and frustrating symptoms for the people affected.
  • Exhaustion. With early onset of Parkinsons, the patient feels tired all the time without having exhausted himself.

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