Can Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Be Overlooked?
- September 19, 2019
Parkinson’s disease is a cumulative nervous disorder which affects the nerves that produce dopamine and results in the changes in our motor and non-motor skills. Dopamine acts as the chemical messenger that sends message to the part of the brain that controls the movement and coordination. The disease appears in the age of 50s or over. People misunderstand that the early signs of Parkinson’s syndrome are the normal signs of ageing and they do not seek treatment. If the disease develops before the age of 50years, its called Early Onset Parkinson Disease. Men are more likely to have Parkinson’s disease than women.
Symptoms
The condition would be difficult to diagnose if not found in the early stages so it is important to understand the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms take time to develop, it generally starts with a tremor and with time show other symptoms like:
No expression or little expression in the face
- Arms may not swing as they walk.
- Slowed movements.
- Rigid muscle.
- Speech changes.
- Writing changes.
- Depression.
- Problems in urination.
- Difficulty in chewing and swallowing.
- Some people even have dementia.
- Cognitive changes like the ability to think, reason and remember also appears with time.
Causes:
The causes of Parkinson’s disease stays a mystery but several factors lead to Parkinson’s like your genes, The environment you live, Lewy bodies and your age.
Genes:
Defective genes could be passed down through generations, Genes that are passed through the members of the family shows interest in developing Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2, SNCA, PARK7, PINK1, are the genes that develop Parkinson’s disease.If the genes involved are LRRK2 and SNCA then the genes are inherited in autosomal dominant pattern where only one copy of the altered gene is required to develop the disease. If the genes involved are PARK7 and PINK1 the genes are inherited in autosomal recessive pattern where two copies of the genes are altered.
Environment:
The environment you live plays a part in developing Parkinson’s disease. Exposure to any toxic environmental factors can lead to Parkinson’s disease.
Lewy bodies:
Lewy bodies that are the abnormal clusters of protein developing in the brains of people can lead to the condition.
Treatment:
The treatment is mainly drugs for 90% of the population, Patients who do not respond to medications are suggested for Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS).
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsons Disease(DBS)
DBS is a treatment for Parkinson’s disease which helps to lessen motor symptoms including tremors, rigid muscles, trouble walking and swinging of arms. It also reduces the need for medications for some people. It also treats the side effects caused due to the intake of medicines. It’s a surgical procedure. A device which can send electrical pulses to your brain is placed inside your chest. The pulses can block the nerve signals that cause Parkinson’s disease. The device consists of a lead placed in the part of the brain and is connected to the pulse generator, which sends the signals to the lead. The functioning is controlled by remote control outside the body.
Find the best treatment for Parkinson’s disease at Dr Vanchilingam Hospital, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu.
