Contents
Parkinson’s disease is an incurable neurological disorder that is associated in particular with elderly people. Unfortunately, it also affects middle-aged and young people. What is this condition? How to recognize its early symptoms? What to do in order not to miss them?
- Parkinson’s disease is the process of the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. It is responsible, among other things, for the perception of emotions, motor coordination, the action of endocrine glands and the level of blood pressure.
- 16 years is the life expectancy of a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease
- A healthy lifestyle, exercise and a balanced diet are of great importance during the disease
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease (or paralysis) is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder that develops over many years and affects the central nervous system. Sources say that the disease affects 1 percent. of the population aged 40-60 years. It is caused by the disappearance of dopaminergic neurons responsible for the production of dopamine in the body, unfortunately it occurs before the onset of clinical symptoms. It affects both the physical and mental spheres of human life.
In 1817, a London doctor – James Parkinson – recognized and described the symptoms of this disease entity. The disease was named after him. In turn, it was not until 2000 that the Swedish biochemist – Arvid Carlsson – discovered the biochemical changes that cause Parkinson’s disease. For this he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
- Alois Alzheimer – Who was the man who first studied dementia?
The mysterious causes of Parkinson’s disease
Unfortunately, despite the significant progress and the advancing medicine, the causes of Parkinson’s disease are still unknown. Researchers say that this is a matter of multifactorial conditioning. A possible reason could be genetic factors, as well as the impact of the environment. Men suffer from this disease much more often than women. The risk group is mainly in the 55-60 age group, but there are also cases at an earlier age.
The development of Parkinson’s disease can also be influenced by high levels of homocysteine in the body. To check the level of this amino acid, do the Amino Acid and Homocysteine Shipping Test that you can buy on Medonet Market.
How do you recognize the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Very often Parkinson’s disease it develops in the human body unnoticed at first. This may be due to the fact that its first symptoms are often underestimated by the patient. Most often, the patient comes to the doctor’s office when the pathological changes are so advanced that they make it difficult to perform the simplest activities.
Symptoms that may indicate the onset of the disease include:
- olfactory disorder,
- constipation
- problems with sleeping,
- mood disorders and depression.
Later on, there are physical symptoms that are much more noticeable and of concern. Usually, only after their occurrence, the patient reports to the doctor. Among these symptoms, the following are distinguished:
- slowing down and restriction of muscle movements, especially visible when walking,
- increasing muscle tone in the face area, making it difficult to speak and swallow,
- hand tremor – a symptom very characteristic and most often associated with Parkinson’s disease,
- tilting the torso forward.
The wife revealed dramatic details. Krawczyk suffered from it
Parkinson’s disease diagnosis
A patient concerned about his health most often reports to a GP (primary care). There, an interview and initial diagnostics are carried out, and then referred to a specialist doctor. In order to exclude other disease entities a neurologist or a geriatrician orders a number of tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission tomography and transcranial ultrasound.
To be able to confirm or rule out the likelihood of Parkinson’s disease, it is also performed test with levodopa. It takes place by administering to the patient a preparation with levodopa – it is a prodrug that is converted into dopamine. If the patient improves, the suspicion of Parkinson’s disease is confirmed.
- Neurologist: symptoms may appear around the age of XNUMX, men are more often ill
Parkinson’s disease treatment
Unfortunately Parkinson’s disease it is incurable and the sick person struggles with it for the rest of his life. It is only possible to reduce the feeling of its negative consequences, this is the so-called symptomatic treatment. This disease is treated mainly with the use of pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation. There is also a necessity surgical treatmenti.e. deep brain stimulation, subcutaneous infusion of apomorphine and administration of levodopa via the Duodopa enteral pump.
Same Parkinson’s disease it is not directly responsible for the death of the patient, but definitely contributes to the deterioration of the body’s condition. Later, it forces a person to involve third parties to help in performing life activities and it becomes necessary to ride in a wheelchair.
Sport is health
One of the elements that can limit the effects of Parkinson’s disease there are exercise and a healthy lifestyle. These activities have a positive effect on constipation problems and more. A properly balanced diet is also important, especially rich in fiber-containing products to facilitate defecation.
It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses a day), but for safety, do not fill the glass completely, but only half full. It is best that the food products consumed by the sick person do not require cutting. In the fight against nuisance symptoms of the disease, rehabilitation and physiotherapy are also important. Regularly performed exercises have a very positive effect on the functioning of the body:
- reduce pain,
- alleviate the symptoms of the disease,
- help to maintain the correct body posture,
- improve gait and mobility of muscles and joints,
- improve intestinal peristalsis,
- have a positive effect on the psyche.
It is mainly recommended to be slow and thorough performing functional exercises, i.e. imitating daily activities such as sitting and walking. It is helpful to do squats, half-squats, walks and stretching. Scientific research has proven that people who smoke, drink coffee, tea and alcohol have a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease. However, it may be related to a significantly shortened life expectancy in this group of people.
- Parkinson’s disease symptoms. They can appear as early as forty
How to live with paralysis?
Parkinson’s disease is initially an insidious and silent disease, leading to permanent disability and death, but suffering from this disorder, in the initial stage you are not forced to give up your daily habits and lifestyle. The sick person can still drive a car and work professionally.
In the event of an attack, the affected person should, above all, remain calm. Relax your muscles and breathe deeply. While walking, you must be completely focused on this activity to avoid falling. Minimize distracting stimuli and avoid rotations and sudden movements.
In order to facilitate the functioning of the patient, it is recommended to adapt the apartment to his needs and possibilities. Ramps should be placed in sensitive places. You also need to adapt the kitchen by equipping it with appliances and dishes on non-slip supports and with possibly large handles.
Parkinson’s disease it is a quiet and unrelenting companion of old age. This condition makes life much more difficult, but does not prevent it. Famous people suffering from severe tremor are a great example. They were, among others: John Paul II, writer Jerzy Pilch, actor Michael J. Fox, musician Johnny Cash and boxer Muhammad Ali.
Only in Poland, Parkinson’s affects between 70 and 90 thousand. people. With the help of loved ones or a caregiver, the sick person can live a long, satisfactory life. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, despite physiotherapy and treatment, the disease progresses. Research into the causes is still ongoing, scientists are constantly trying to find clear causes. Therefore, there is hope that researchers will find confirmed sources of Parkinson’s disease in the near future and it will be possible to more effectively fight the effects and maybe even cure this disease.