Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson’s disease can be defined as a movement disorder which is as a result of a shortage of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is integral in helping other parts of the brain coordinate movement properly. Some argue that, with research, it will be determined that environmental chemicals – called neurotoxins - also contribute to the development of Parkinson’s, indicating that individuals who are more exposed to these environmental chemicals are at more risk for developing the disease. Presently, one to two out of 100 individuals over the age of 65 suffer from Parkinson’s disease, with the disease being more common in men than women.
Persons with the disease may develop a number of symptoms over time, though most do not show all the associated symptoms. There is no specific progressive timeline for Parkinson’s as it may develop quickly over the years or gradually; and may affect different patients in different ways. As such, some individuals affected may be more seriously disabled by the disease than others.
In most cases, the symptoms for Parkinson’s begin on one side of the body. These symptoms include muscle tremor, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance and what is known as Parkinsonian gait (a distinctive walk where individuals tend to lean backward or forward unnaturally.) Therefore, people with Parkinson’s will begin to experience tremors in the foot, fingers or hands even though the limb is unmoving and this muscle tremor may also occur in the chin as well as the mouth. In addition, patients may realise they have muscle pain or experience facial masking, which is where the muscles in the face become rigid, limiting movement and the ability for facial expressions. Poor balance occurs due to loss of reflexes which helps to maintain balance, resulting in increased falls for patients.
Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop as a result of the gradual loss of muscle control, both voluntary and involuntary. These secondary symptoms vary greatly from person to person and include depression; dementia (which occurs late in the disease); constipation or the need to urinate often; seborrhoea; slowness of response to questions; hyper salivation; and excessive sweating. Also, patients may also have difficulty swallowing, suffer weight loss and impotence as well as develop trouble sleeping, leading to increased tiredness.
Diagnosis for Parkinson’s is usually based on the symptoms presented by the individual and also by ruling out diseases which may present similar symptoms. Thus, there is no single test to determine whether or not a person has the disease. Individuals who undergo treatment for Parkinson’s disease will find that the primary treatment is geared towards restoration of dopamine levels in the brain as well as controlling the various symptoms. In order to control the various symptoms for the disease, patients may need to undergo physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The symptoms and experiences of Parkinson’s are different from individual to individual, so some persons may become more debilitated than others. However, with proper and continued care, persons who suffer from the disease have the same life expectancy as those who do not.