PARKINSON'S DISEASE


Parkinsons Overview

Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. After diagnosis, treatments can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure.

What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

 

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that progresses slowly. Some people will first notice a sense of weakness, difficulty walking, and stiff muscles. Others may notice a tremor of the head or hands. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder and the symptoms gradually worsen. The general symptoms of Parkinson's diseaseinclude:

  • Slowness of voluntary movements, especially in the initiation of such movements as walking or rolling over in bed
  • Decreased facial expression, monotonous speech, and decreased eye blinking
  • A shuffling gait with poor arm swing and stooped posture
  • Unsteady balance; difficulty rising from a sitting position
  • Continuous "pill-rolling" motion of the thumb and forefinger
  • Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extremities
  • Swallowing problems in later stages
  • Lightheadedness or fainting when standing (orthostatic hypotension)

 Early signs

Here are some early signs of Parkinson’s disease:

  • Movement: There may be a tremor in the hands.
  • Coordination: A reduced sense of coordination and balance can cause people to drop items they are holding. They may be more likely to fall.
  • Gait: The person’s posture may change, so that they lean forward slightly, as if they were hurrying. They may also develop a shuffling gait.
  • Facial expression: This can become fixed, due to changes in the nerves that control facial muscles.
  • Voice: There may be a tremor in the voice, or the person may speak more softly than before.
  • Handwriting: This may become more cramped and smaller.
  • Sense of smell: A loss of sense of smell can be an early sign.
  • Sleep problems: These are a feature of Parkinson’s, and they may be an early sign. Restless legs may contribute to this.
PREVENTION

It is not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but research has shown that some lifelong habits may help to reduce the risk.

Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, an antioxidant ingredient. It may help to prevent the clumping of a protein involved in Parkinson’s disease, at least one laboratory studyhas found.

Flavonoids: Consuming another type of antioxidant — flavonoids — may lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to research. Flavonoids are present in berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes.

Avoiding reheated cooking oils: Scientists have linked toxic chemicals, known as aldehydes, to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, and some cancers.

Heating certain oils — such as sunflower oil — to a certain temperature, and then using them again can cause aldehydes to occur in those oils.

Avoiding toxins: Exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other toxins may increase the risk of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. People should take precautions when using these types of product, for example, by using protective clothing.

Parkinson’s disease is a lifelong condition that involves neurological changes in the body. These changes can make it harder for a person to function in daily life. However, medications and other types of therapy are available for treating Parkinson’s disease and reducing the symptoms.

Current treatment can relieve symptoms, but scientists hope that gene therapy or stem cell therapy will one day be able to do more than this, and restore function that the person has already lost.

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