Parkinson's disease: symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition of Parkinson's disease

What is Parkinson's disease?

What is Parkinson's disease (Parkinson's disease) is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects body movements. Called progressive, because this disease develops gradually and gets worse over time.

This disorder occurs when nerve cells in one part of the brain die, so they don't produce enough dopamine, a brain chemical that plays a role in controlling muscle movement. As a result, the control of muscle movements decreases, making it difficult for sufferers to walk, talk, and experience problems with balance and coordination.

Parkinson's disease is a disorder that does not resolve completely. However, various drug options and medication from doctors can be done to help relieve symptoms in order to support a better quality of life. The reason is, even though this disease is not fatal, complications of the disease can be serious.

How common is this disease?

The NHS said, it is estimated that about 1 in 500 people in the world are affected by Parkinson's disease. Most of the sufferers begin experiencing symptoms when they are over 50 years old. However, about 1 in 20 people with this condition admit to experiencing symptoms for the first time at the age of under 40.

The disease attacks men about 50 percent more than women. You can prevent this disease by reducing the existing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms of Parkinson's disease

What are the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Everyone may have different signs and symptoms from one another. In general, the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:

• Trembling or tremors, which usually begin in the legs, hands, or fingers.
• Movement slows down (bradykinesia) gradually.
• Muscles are stiff and inflexible, especially in the arms, legs, or torso.
• Balance and coordination are disturbed, such as slouching posture and sometimes causing falls.
• Loss of automatic movements, such as blinking, smiling, or swinging hands while walking.
• Changes in speech, such as speaking too fast, slurred, or others.
• Difficulty writing.

In addition to common signs, sufferers of this disease often experience various other physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and anxiety disorders, urinary problems, constipation, skin problems, sleep problems, and memory problems.

The above symptoms and signs appear gradually. However, it is difficult to know which are the early signs of this disease. The reason is, the symptoms that appear in each person can be different, both in order and intensity.

However, reported by the Parkinson's Foundation, there is a distinctive pattern that describes the development of symptoms of this disease, which is then called grade or stadium. Here is an overview grade, the stage, or stages of Parkinson's disease:

• Stage or stage 1

At this stage, the patient experiences mild symptoms that do not interfere with daily activities, such as tremors on one side of the body and changes in posture, walking, and facial expressions.

• Stage or stage 2

In stage 2, symptoms begin to worsen with tremors, muscle stiffness, and other movement symptoms affecting both sides of the body. Sufferers can still live alone, but have difficulty carrying out daily activities and for longer.

• Stage or stage 3

It is at this stage that the symptoms begin to feel significant, such as loss of balance and slow movement, so that they interfere with daily activities, such as dressing and eating.

• Stage or stage 4

In stage 4, Parkinson's symptoms are so severe that they limit the sufferer's daily activities, such as difficulty walking, which often requires walking aids.

• Stage or stages 5

This is the most severe stage with signs of stiffness in the leg muscles, so the sufferer cannot stand or walk and must use a wheelchair or just lie in bed. Symptoms that are not related to movement have started to appear, including experiencing hallucinations and delusions.

Apart from those listed above, other signs and symptoms may appear. If you are worried about a certain change in yourself, you should contact your doctor immediately.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Every body acts differently from one another. Always discuss with your doctor to find the best solution for your condition.

Causes & risk factors for Parkinson's disease

What causes Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease occurs when nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra become disturbed or die. This part of the brain produces an important brain chemical called dopamine, and functions to control movement in the body. When nerve cells are damaged or die, dopamine production is impaired, causing problems with movement.

However, the cause of the death of these dopamine-producing nerve cells is still unknown. Scientists assume that the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

In addition, the researchers also noted that many changes appeared in the brain in Parkinson's sufferers, although it is not clear why these changes occur. These changes are included Lewy body , namely clots of certain substances in brain cells as a microscopic marker of Parkinson's, as well as A-synuclein, a natural protein that is widely distributed in Lewy body .

What increases the risk of Parkinson's disease?

Some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing Parkinson's disease are:

• Advanced age, that is, over 50 years.
• Heredity or having family members with Parkinson's.
• Gender, that is, men are more affected than women.
• Exposure to toxins, such as herbicides and pesticides.
• Metal exposure.
• Traumatic head injury or brain injury.

No risk factors don't mean you can't get Parkinson's disease. This mark is for reference only. Consult a doctor for more information.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Parkinson's disease

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult a doctor or pharmacist.

How do doctors diagnose Parkinson's disease?

To make a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a neurological and physical examination to determine the signs and symptoms you are experiencing. After that, your doctor may recommend that you do some tests for supporting Parkinson's, such as:

• Test single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) specific is called a dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan).
• Laboratory tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms.
• Imaging tests, such as MRI, brain ultrasound, CT scan, PET scan, which can also help rule out other causes.

In addition, your doctor may prescribe a drug for Parkinson's disease, namely carbidopa-levodopa. If symptoms improve because of this drug, your doctor will confirm that you have Parkinson's disease.

Sometimes, it takes more time to diagnose this disease. Therefore, your doctor may recommend that you see a neurologist trained in movement disorders at your next visit. This is to evaluate your symptoms over time and make a proper diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for Parkinson's disease?

There is no specific treatment that can really cure this condition. However, some medications and medications can help control symptoms. Here are some common Parkinson's disease medications and treatments that doctors give:

• Drug

Certain medications can increase or replace lost dopamine to help with movement problems and tremors that are common with Parkinson's. Some of these drugs, namely carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, anticholinergics, and amantadine.

• Operation

If the patient does not respond positively to the drug, surgery may be necessary. One of them is procedure deep brain stimulation (DBS) which is done by implanting an implanted electrode into a part of the brain and connecting it to a small electrical device that is implanted in the chest.

• Therapy

Therapy, such as physical, speech, and occupational therapy, can also be done to help with movement problems, stiffness, and decreased mental function in people with Parkinson's. In addition to relieving symptoms, therapy can also help sufferers to carry out daily activities.

Home treatment of Parkinson's disease

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help with this disease?

Apart from medically, lifestyle and home remedies may be able to help overcome this disease. Here are some home remedies for Parkinson's disease that you can do:

• Take medication according to a doctor's prescription.
• Enough rest.
• Exercise regularly, such as walking, swimming, etc., which can help keep your muscles supple and strong.
• Adopting a healthy diet that may help relieve symptoms, such as eating high-fiber foods and drinking lots of water.
• Prevent things that increase the risk of falling, such as not walking backwards, not carrying heavy objects, and so on.
• Doing traditional treatments for Parkinson's, such as massage, meditation, yoga, and so on.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Parkinson's disease complications

What are the possible complications of Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's is a disease that can reduce a person's quality of life. Although not deadly, sufferers of this disease cannot carry out daily activities like people generally do. In addition, this disorder is often accompanied by several other medical conditions that can further disrupt the health of the sufferer.

Therefore, Parkinson's may be considered a dangerous disease. Moreover, this disease continues to develop over time and cannot be cured. Thus, the sufferer will inevitably experience a decrease in the quality of life.

Some of the complications and other medical conditions that may also arise in people with Parkinson's disease are:

• Thinking difficulties and dementia

Cognitive problems (dementia) and difficulty thinking often arise in people with this disease, especially if the disease has progressed to a later stage.

• Depression and emotional changes

Sometimes, people with this disease often experience depression, fear, anxiety, and loss of motivation, which can occur from an early stage. Treating this condition can make it easier to treat other problems that arise from Parkinson's.

• Swallowing problems

You may experience problems swallowing over time. This condition causes saliva to accumulate in the mouth and often causes " crushed “.

• Chewing problems

End-stage Parkinson's will affect the muscles in the mouth, so it can make it difficult for sufferers to chew. This can cause nutritional problems or cause choking while eating.

• Sleep disturbance

Patients with this disease often experience sleep disturbances, such as waking up during the night and falling asleep during the day.

• Bladder problems

This disease can cause bladder problems, such as being unable to control urine or difficulty urinating.

• Constipation

Constipation or constipation is often experienced by sufferers of this disease because the digestive tract is slower.

• Orthostatic hypotension

Patients with Parkinson's disease often feel dizzy when they stand up because of a sudden drop in blood pressure, which is called orthostatic hypotension. This drop in blood pressure can reach 20 mmHg for systolic and 10 mmHg for diastolic.

• Smell problems

Problems with the sense of smell often occur in sufferers of this disease, such as difficulty recognizing or distinguishing odors.

• Fatigue

Although the cause is not known, Parkinson's sufferers often experience a loss of energy to fatigue later in life.

• Pain

Pain or pain in certain areas of the body or throughout the body is also often felt by sufferers of this disease.

• Sexual dysfunction

Some people with this disease also feel a decrease in their sexual desire.

• Melanoma

Melanoma is an invasive form of skin cancer. This disease often occurs in people with Parkinson's, especially if it has progressed to a more advanced stage.

Several other conditions may be felt by you. Always consult a doctor if this happens. The doctor will help solve the problem.

Parkinson's disease prevention

How to prevent Parkinson's disease?

As mentioned earlier, the cause of Parkinson's is not known for sure. Therefore, there is no proven way to prevent Parkinson's disease.

However, several studies have shown that there are several things that can help reduce the risk of developing this disease, such as regular and regular aerobic exercise or consuming caffeine (tea, coffee, or soft drinks) and green tea. However, there is currently not sufficiently strong evidence to suggest that a person consuming caffeinated beverages is protected against Parkinson's.

In addition, several other ways may also help reduce the risk of Parkinson's and prevent this disease from developing. Some of these ways, namely:

• Avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides.
• Adopting a healthy diet, such as eating lots of vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Increase vitamin D levels.
• Reduces stress.