Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a movement and mood disorder. It is a condition that progresses with time and happens when the nerve cells in the brain can’t make enough of a body chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is naturally made in your brain, and is vital for the smooth control of your muscles and movement.
Most people with Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed around the age of 65 years, but 1 in 10 people diagnosed are younger than 45 years.
Most people with Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed around the age of 65 years, but 1 in 10 people diagnosed are younger than 45 years.
symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson’s symptoms vary. The typical symptoms are a combination of:
tremor or shaking at rest, usually one sided at first
muscle stiffness (rigidity), which can cause pain and affect posture and movement
slowing of movement, which can make daily activities such as getting dressed and cooking difficult changes to your
posture.
Early symptoms may include-
- fatigue
- mild depression
- restlessness
- localised muscle pain
- balance problems
- slowed speech
- handwriting becoming very small and difficult to read
- swallowing changes
- low blood pressure, especially when going from lying to sitting, or sitting to standing.
There are also non-movement symptoms, such as:
- sleep problems, including acting out your dreams and sleep talking.
- constipation
- slowing of thoughts
- anxiety and depression
- decreased sense of smell
- fatigue not relieved by resting
- increased saliva production
causes Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. Some contributing factors include ageing, genetic changes, toxins, medicines and infection.
What is the difference between Parkinson’s disease vs. parkinsonism?
“Parkinsonism” is an umbrella term that describes Parkinson’s disease and conditions with similar symptoms. It can refer not only to Parkinson’s disease but also to other conditions like multiple system atrophy or corticobasal degeneration.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease is mostly a clinical process, meaning it relies heavily on a healthcare provider examining your symptoms, asking questions and reviewing your medical history. But most lab tests aren’t necessary unless you don’t respond to treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which can indicate you have another condition.
What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?
When healthcare providers suspect Parkinson’s disease or need to rule out other conditions, various imaging and diagnostic tests are possible. These include:
- Blood tests (these can help rule out other forms of parkinsonism).
- Computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Genetic testing.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
- New lab tests are possible
The two tests use the following methods.
Spinal tap. One of these tests looks for misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. This test involves a spinal tap (lumbar puncture), where a healthcare provider inserts a needle into your spinal canal to collect some cerebrospinal fluid for testing
Skin biopsy. Another possible test involves a biopsy of surface nerve tissue. A biopsy includes collecting a small sample of your skin, including the nerves in the skin. The samples come from a spot on your back and two spots on your leg. Analyzing the samples can help determine if your alpha-synuclein has a certain kind of malfunction that could increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
