What Are The Risk Factors Of Developing Dementia After Parkinsons Disease
Certain patients with Parkinsons disease are at higher risk of developing dementia than others. Some of the vital risk factors for developing dementia after Parkinsons disease may include older age, severity of symptoms and presence of mild cognitive impairment. Other additional symptoms which act as risk factor for developing into full fledged dementia include-
- Excessive sleepiness in the daytime.
- Presence of hallucination in the absence of other dementia related symptoms.
- Presence of postural instability and gait which include freezing that occurs suddenly, difficulty in initiating movement and problems with balancing and frequent falling.
What Are The Cardinal Signs Of Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor abilities of a patient. The cardinal signs of Parkinsons disease are normally related to the motor functions which may be voluntary or involuntary in nature. Such symptoms usually start on the one side of the body which are initially mild, and progresses over the period of time. The cardinal signs include-
Tremors: Tremors originating in fingers, hands, feet, arms, jaw, legs or head. Such tremors are seen to occur most often while the patient is resting. These tremors may worsen when the patient gets excited, stressed, or tired.
Rigidity in Limbs: A pattern of stiffness or rigidity is seen in the limbs and trunk, which may increase in case of movement. Such rigidity may produce muscle aches and pain.
Loss of Fine Motor Skills: Loss of fine motor skills may lead to cramped handwriting which may be difficult to read. Such condition is called micrographia. Patient may also find it difficult to eat.
Loss of Movement: Progressive slowness of voluntary movement which may result in difficulty to initiate movement and to even complete a movement gradually.
Loss of Reflexes: Impairment or loss of reflexes to adjust the posture and maintain balance is also cardinal signs of Parkinsons disease.
What Causes Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease occurs when nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra become impaired or die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps the cells of the brain communicate . When these nerve cells become impaired or die, they produce less dopamine. Dopamine is especially important for the operation of another area of the brain called the basal ganglia. This area of the brain is responsible for organizing the brains commands for body movement. The loss of dopamine causes the movement symptoms seen in people with Parkinsons disease.
People with Parkinsons disease also lose another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. This chemical is needed for proper functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. This system controls some of the bodys autonomic functions such as digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Loss of norepinephrine causes some of the non-movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Scientists arent sure what causes the neurons that produce these neurotransmitter chemicals to die.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease
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.
What Are The Stages Of Parkinsons
- Stage 1 Symptoms are seen on one side of the body only.
- Stage 2 Symptoms are seen on both sides of the body. Theres no impairment of balance.
- Stage 3 Balance impairment has begun. In this mild to moderate stage of the disease, the person is still physically independent.
- Stage 4 This stage is marked by severe disability. The person is still able to walk or stand unassisted but may need a walker to get around.
- Stage 5 The person requires a wheelchair or is bedridden unless assisted in standing and walking.
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What Can I Expect If I Have This Condition
Parkinsons disease is a degenerative condition, meaning the effects on your brain get worse over time. However, this condition usually takes time to get worse. Most people have a normal life span with this condition.
Youll need little to no help in the earlier stages and can keep living independently. As the effects worsen, youll need medication to limit how the symptoms affect you. Most medications, especially levodopa, are moderately or even very effective once your provider finds the minimum dose you need to treat your symptoms.
Most of the effects and symptoms are manageable with treatment, but the treatments become less effective and more complicated over time. Living independently will also become more and more difficult as the disease worsens.
How long does Parkinsons disease last?
Parkinsons disease isnt curable, which means its a permanent, life-long condition.
Whats the outlook for Parkinsons disease?
Parkinsons disease isnt fatal, but the symptoms and effects are often contributing factors to death. The average life expectancy for Parkinsons disease in 1967 was a little under 10 years. Since then, the average life expectancy has increased by about 55%, rising to more than 14.5 years. That, combined with the fact that Parkinsons diagnosis is much more likely after age 60, means this condition doesnt often affect your life expectancy by more than a few years .
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Early Detection Is Important
Some people never share with their doctor a subtle symptom, such as a periodic involuntary jerk of a finger, because it doesnt cross their minds as something worrisome.But Dr. Joseph advises not to wait until symptoms progress to get checked out. That finger jerk could progress into a full-blown tremor.Dr. Joseph, who was inspired to treat patients with Parkinsons when she saw a deep brain stimulation procedure stop a patients tremor in medical school, wants you to know that its normal to feel scared about having symptoms evaluated for a possible Parkinsons diagnosis.But she encourages you to be brave and get an exam for this important reason: People who start Parkinsons treatment earlier have less disability and longer lifespans!
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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:
Conflict Of Interest Statement
EB has equity stake in Motac holding Ltd. and receives consultancy payments from Motac Neuroscience Ltd., companies which pre-clinical activity has no relationship with the present study.
The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Elimination Of Other Conditions
Although no test can diagnose Parkinsons disease itself, your doctor may order blood tests or imaging studies to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Your doctor will want to know about any medication or recreational drugs you take, since some drugs can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinsons.
Parkinsons disease doesnt show up on radiological studies like X-ray, MRI , or CT scans.
Doctors sometimes order dopamine transporter SPECT imaging to determine whether a person with suspected Parkinsons has a different disorder called essential tremor.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated
If a doctor thinks a person has Parkinson’s disease, there’s reason for hope. Medicine can be used to eliminate or improve the symptoms, like the body tremors. And some experts think that a cure may be found soon.
For now, a medicine called levodopa is often given to people who have Parkinson’s disease. Called “L-dopa,” this medicine increases the amount of dopamine in the body and has been shown to improve a person’s ability to walk and move around. Other drugs also help decrease and manage the symptoms by affecting dopamine levels. In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat it. The person would get anesthesia, a special kind of medicine to prevent pain during the operation.
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How Does Parkinsons Disease Progress
When drug treatment intensifies to improve symptom control, the risk of drug side effects, in particular dyskinesia, rises. Dyskinesia is involuntary, uncontrolled movement that can look like fidgeting, writhing, head bobbing, or body swaying.
People who respond less well to drug treatment also tend to develop additional Parkinsons symptoms, often including various nonmotor symptoms.
As symptoms advance, people with Parkinsons increasingly need assistance carrying out activities of daily living.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed
Someone with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may be sent to see a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in the brain, nerves, and muscles. The neurologist may do some tests, including a brain scan and blood tests. These tests will not make the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, but the doctor will want to make sure that there is no other problem causing the symptoms. To diagnose Parkinson’s disease, the doctor relies on a person’s medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam.
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What Lifestyle Changes Can I Make To Ease Parkinsons Symptoms
Exercise: Exercise helps improve muscle strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and tremor. It is also strongly believed to improve memory, thinking and reduce the risk of falls and decrease anxiety and depression. One study in persons with Parkinsons disease showed that 2.5 hours of exercise per week resulted in improved ability to move and a slower decline in quality of life compared to those who didnt exercise or didnt start until later in the course of their disease. Some exercises to consider include strengthening or resistance training, stretching exercises or aerobics . All types of exercise are helpful.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet: This is not only good for your general health but can ease some of the non-movement related symptoms of Parkinsons, such as constipation. Eating foods high in fiber in particular can relieve constipation. The Mediterranean diet is one example of a healthy diet.
Preventing falls and maintaining balance: Falls are a frequent complication of Parkinsons. While you can do many things to reduce your risk of falling, the two most important are: 1) to work with your doctor to ensure that your treatments whether medicines or deep brain stimulation are optimal and 2) to consult with a physical therapist who can assess your walking and balance. The physical therapist is the expert when it comes to recommending assistive devices or exercise to improve safety and preventing falls.
What Lifestyle Changes May Help Reduce The Parkinsons Tremors
Doctors may advice certain lifestyle changes in order to manage the symptoms of Parkinsons disease and also the tremors associated with it. They may include-
Green Tea: Research shows that green tea may be beneficial in reducing tremors in Parkinsons disease. The patient may substitute his daily consumption of tea with green tea for increased benefits.
Reduce Meat: Patient with Parkinsons disease should limit his consumption of animal and plant protein of his daily diet.
Regular Activity: Exercising everyday may help with reduction of tremors and other symptoms like muscle stiffness in Parkinsons disease.
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Testing For Parkinsons Disease
There is no lab or imaging test that is recommended or definitive for Parkinsons disease. However, in 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an imaging scan called the DaTscan. This technique allows doctors to see detailed pictures of the brains dopamine system.
A DaTscan involves an injection of a small amount of a radioactive drug and a machine called a single-photon emission computed tomography scanner, similar to an MRI.
The drug binds to dopamine transmitters in the brain, showing where in the brain dopaminergic neurons are.
The results of a DaTscan cant show that you have Parkinsons, but they can help your doctor confirm a diagnosis or rule out a Parkinsons mimic.
What Doctors Look For When Diagnosing Parkinsons
Certain physical signs and symptoms noticed by the patient or his or her loved ones are usually what prompt a person to see the doctor. These are the symptoms most often noticed by patients or their families:
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Shaking or tremor: Called resting tremor, a trembling of a hand or foot that happens when the patient is at rest and typically stops when he or she is active or moving
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Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement in the limbs, face, walking or overall body
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Rigidity: Stiffness in the arms, legs or trunk
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Posture instability: Trouble with balance and possible falls
Once the patient is at the doctors office, the physician:
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Takes a medical history and does a physical examination.
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Asks about current and past medications. Some medications may cause symptoms that mimic Parkinsons disease.
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Performs a neurological examination, testing agility, muscle tone, gait and balance.
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Trouble Moving Or Walking
Do you feel stiff in your body, arms or legs? Have others noticed that one or both of your arms doesnt swing like it used to when you walk? Sometimes stiffness goes away as you move. If it does not, it can be a sign of PD. An early sign might be stiffness or pain in your shoulder or hips. People sometimes say their feet seem stuck to the floor.
What is normal?
If you have injured your arm or shoulder, you may not be able to use it as well until it is healed, or another illness like arthritis might cause the same symptom.
Cognitive And Psychiatric Symptoms
- depression and anxiety
- mild cognitive impairment slight memory problems and problems with activities that require planning and organisation
- dementia a group of symptoms, including more severe memory problems, personality changes, seeing things that are not there and believing things that are not true
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What Are Some Signs Of Parkinsons
Tremors. Shaking can begin in a limb.
Slowed movement. Parkinsons may reduce the ability to move and slow movement. Steps may become shorter when walking.
Rigid muscles. Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of the body and can cause pain. Impaired posture and balance. Posture may become stooped, balance problems may also result.
Loss of Automatic Movements. Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements including blinking, smiling or swinging arms while walking.
Speech Changes. One may start to speak softly, quickly, slur or even hesitate before talking. Speech may be more of a monotone rather than with the usual speech inflections.
Writing Changes. It may become hard to write or text size may become smaller.
Dementia. A person with Parkinsons disease has 2-6 times the risk of exhibiting symptoms of dementia compared to the general population.
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Parkinsons Disease Symptoms 4 Cardinal Signs
The article Parkinsons disease early symptoms described a variety of signs that might be indicative of oncoming or early Parkinsons. Given that many of the signs could be due to a variety of completely unrelated conditions, a more structured and formal classification is required to differentiate Parkinsons from other diseases. This can be achieved by grouping the symptoms into primary motor related symptoms , associated symptoms and neuropsychiatric dysfunction.
This article explains the 4 primary motor symptoms for Parkinsons disease diagnosis, which includes:
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Living With Parkinson’s Disease
As Parkinson’s develops, a person who has it may slow down and won’t be able to move or talk quickly. Sometimes, speech therapy and occupational therapy are needed. This may sound silly, but someone who has Parkinson’s disease may need to learn how to fall down safely.
If getting dressed is hard for a person with Parkinson’s, clothing with Velcro and elastic can be easier to use than buttons and zippers. The person also might need to have railings installed around the house to prevent falls.
If you know someone who has Parkinson’s disease, you can help by being a good friend.
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What Causes Parkinson’s Disease
In the very deep parts of the brain, there is a collection of nerve cells that help control movement, known as the basal ganglia . In a person with Parkinson’s disease, these nerve cells are damaged and do not work as well as they should.
These nerve cells make and use a brain chemical called dopamine to send messages to other parts of the brain to coordinate body movements. When someone has Parkinson’s disease, dopamine levels are low. So, the body doesn’t get the right messages it needs to move normally.
Experts agree that low dopamine levels in the brain cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but no one really knows why the nerve cells that produce dopamine get damaged and die.
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