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parkinson’s disease: do you know the signs?
4 minute read
as there is no test that can definitely diagnose the disease, a doctor will typically rely on a patient’s medical history and a physical and neurological evaluation. getty
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parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that is caused by a decrease in dopamine, a chemical that helps the body move by carrying signals between nerves. as dopamine-producing cells in the brain die, movement grows rigid, balance and reflexes become impaired and the tremors that characterize the disease begin to appear. while there is no cure for parkinson’s disease, medications can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients. with advances in treatment, most patients can expect to have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.
what are the symptoms of parkinson’s disease?
every patient experiences parkinson’s disease differently, according to parkinson canada, with many showing no signs of the disease in its early stages. when symptoms do appear, they may begin on one side of the body and remain worse on that side throughout the progression of the disease. while parkinson’s is often associated with its motor symptoms, there are a range of non-motor symptoms that are difficult to diagnose and often left untreated in patients who may not realize they are a part of the same problem. motor symptoms of the disease include tremors, rigid muscles, slowness of movement, impaired posture, balance issues, speech and writing changes and loss of automatic movements.
depression is one of the most common sign of parkinson’s
depression is one of the most common and debilitating non-motor symptoms of parkinson’s, with as many as 50 per cent of patients experiencing clinical levels of the condition during the course of the disease. researchers believe that the same chemical changes in the brain that affect movement also impact mood, resulting in an underdiagnosed increase in anxiety and depression.
the list of other non-motor symptoms is extensive but includes drooling, nausea and vomiting, bladder dysfunction, double vision, restless leg syndrome, constipation, insomnia, leg swelling, excessive sweating, sexual dysfunction and dementia and cognitive impairment.
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recent research into a cohort of older men found that those who were experiencing frequent bad dreams were twice as likely to be diagnosed with parkinson’s disease than those who were not. the study, which also showed that dreams can reveal important information about brain structure, may have provided an early warning sign of the disease for researchers to explore.
how is parkinson’s disease diagnosed?
as there is no test that can definitely diagnose the disease, a doctor will typically rely on a patient’s medical history and a physical and neurological evaluation. according to the mayo clinic, doctors may order a range of other tests, including blood and imaging, to rule out other conditions that have symptoms in common with parkinson’s. sometimes, patients may be prescribed drugs that treat the disease to see if they alleviate symptoms; if the medication results in significant improvement, it can help confirm diagnosis.
how is parkinson’s disease treated?
there is no cure for parkinson’s disease, but there are medications that can help control the symptoms that make day-to-day life difficult for patients, such as tremors and rigidity. because every person experiences the disease differently, not every drug works for every patient. some of these drugs can also have side effects, making it important to find the right mix of medication for each patient. these medications, which slow the progression of the disease, interact with the brain’s unique chemistry to help improve quality of life. there are also a range of therapies (physical, occupational, speech and exercise) available to help patients manage their symptoms for as long as possible.
in some cases, doctors can use deep-brain stimulation to send electrical pulses to the brain to decrease symptoms. the surgery, which carries risks of its own (infection, stroke, brain hemorrhage), is typically reserved for those with advanced forms of the disease. and while the procedure has proven successful in reducing symptoms over sustained periods, it does not halt the advance of the disease.
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researchers have also identified three circuits in the brain that influence the development of the motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease. in a study that explored the manipulation of these circuits, the team was able to reverse the effects of the disease in mice. these circuits may prove to be effective targets for new therapies that help manage the disease in humans.
how prevent parkinson’s disease
as the causes of parkinson’s remain unknown, researchers continue to search for the reasons people develop the disease. for those who have been diagnosed, it is believed that exercise and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help control symptoms and even slow progression of the disease.
prevalence of parkinson’s disease
parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world and one of the main causes of disability. more than 100,000 canadians are currently living with the disease and 25 new patients are diagnosed every day. around 85 per cent of people diagnosed with the disease are over the age of 65. by 2031, it is expected that more than 160,000 canadians will be affected by the disease, with 50 new patients diagnosed every day. the economic burden of the disease in canada, in direct and indirect costs, is more than $1.2-billion annually.
support for parkinson’s disease
parkinson canada offers information about the disease, including the latest research and fundraising efforts, as well as ways to connect with others. find a local support group by clicking here.
dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.
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