Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological (nerve-related) disease that affects small areas of nerve cells (neurons) in the substantia nigra area of the brain.
These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical (neurotransmitter) that transmits signals between areas of the brain that, when working normally, coordinate smooth, balanced muscle movements.
Parkinson’s disease causes these nerve cells to die, which ultimately disrupts the body’s ability to control movement and balance.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s symptoms will vary and be different. However, there are a number of common symptoms of this disease, namely:
- Slow body movements (bradykinesia).
- Tremors.
- Stiff muscles.
- Disturbed coordination of body movement and balance.
- Cramps or cramps.
- Abnormalities in body posture.
- Reduced facial expressions.
- Changes in the way and tone of speech becoming slow, fast, or unclear.
In addition to general symptoms, there are several early signs of Parkinson’s disease that you need to be aware of, including:
1. Tremor
Symptoms of tremor or shaking are one of the main symptoms and quite typical of this disease. This condition usually only appears on one part of the body that most often attacks the hands and fingers.
Tremors in Parkinson’s usually occur when the body part is resting or not doing any activity at all.
2. Slow Motion
As it progresses, Parkinson’s will cause the body to experience decreased control of movement and body coordination.
As a result, body movements will slow down, making it difficult to do even simple activities.
3. Loss of Reflexes
People with Parkinson’s disease will also slowly lose their ability to move.
Especially movements that are reflexive and automatic, such as blinking or swinging the hand when catching certain objects.
4. Balance Disorders
As Parkinson’s disease worsens, sufferers may experience balance disorders. As a result, sufferers are at higher risk of falling during activities.
5. Changes in Speech
Parkinson’s disease will also cause sufferers to experience changes in the way they speak.
This condition can cause sufferers to speak faster, unclearly, and have difficulty speaking.
6. Muscles feel stiff
Parkinson’s can also cause sufferers to experience stiffness and tension in large and small muscles.
In addition to affecting body movement, stiff muscles can also cause sufferers of this condition to have difficulty making facial expressions.
Parkinson’s Symptoms Stages
Quoting The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Parkinson’s symptoms that often occur are divided into 5 stages, including:
- Stage 1. Symptoms are mild and do not interfere with the sufferer’s quality of life.
- Stage 2. Symptoms begin to worsen. The condition can make it difficult to perform daily activities and take more time to complete them.
- Stage 3 (middle stage). Sufferers begin to lose balance, movement becomes slow, and fall easily. Sufferers also find it increasingly difficult to do light daily activities such as dressing, eating, and brushing their teeth.
- Stage 4, more severe symptoms. Sufferers need help when walking and doing daily activities.
- Stage 5 is the acute stage. The sufferer can no longer walk and needs assistance for the rest of his life.
Each stage of Parkinson’s symptoms has different symptoms.
Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors
Parkinson’s risk factors include:
- Age. People aged 60 and over are at risk.
- Heredity. Parents or siblings who have a history of Parkinson’s are more likely to pass it on.
- Sex. Men are more likely to transmit Parkinson’s than women during sex.
- Toxin exposure. Experts believe that exposure to non-pesticide compounds, such as organohalogens and metals, is a risk factor for this disease.
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Until now, experts do not know the main cause of Parkinson’s. However, there are several main factors that underlie someone being infected:
- Genes. Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause the disease.
- Environment. Environmental factors may increase the risk of disease later in life, but the risk is relatively small.
Researchers also noted changes in the brains of sufferers, including clots in the brain that cells cannot break apart.
Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s. However, a Neurologist will diagnose the disease based on medical history, review of signs and symptoms, and a physical neurological examination:
If you consult a doctor, they will suggest several actions. First, with a specific single-photon emission computerized tomography or dopamine transporter (DAT) scanner.
However, this action is not a determinant of the exact diagnosis. Second, the doctor will suggest laboratory tests such as blood tests.
The third is other imaging tests. These procedures are intended to help rule out the risk of other disorders. Here are some imaging tests that doctors can do:
- MRI. This procedure involves using a large magnet and radio waves to view organs and structures inside the body. MRI is especially useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.
- CT scan. This procedure involves combining a series of X-ray images that doctors take from different angles of the body using computer processing to create cross-sectional images.
- Brain ultrasound. This procedure involves sending sound waves into the head and images appearing on a computer screen. The black-and-white images show the internal structures of the brain, including the ventricles (fluid-filled cavities in the brain) and blood vessels.
- PET scan. This procedure can evaluate organs or tissues for disease or other conditions. Doctors also use PET to evaluate the function of organs such as the heart or brain.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Parkinson’s cannot be completely cured. However, proper Parkinson’s treatment can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life of sufferers.
The following are the treatment options for Parkinson’s disease:
1. Administration of Medication
Medications can help with walking, moving, and shaking problems. The drugs that doctors prescribe work by increasing or replacing dopamine.
Because Parkinson’s sufferers have low brain dopamine concentrations. However, dopamine cannot be given directly by doctors because it cannot enter the brain.
The following are medications that your doctor may prescribe, including:
- Carbidopa levodopa is a drug that the body will convert into dopamine in the brain.
- Levodopa is combined with carbidopa (Lodosyn) which functions to prevent or reduce side effects such as nausea.
- Inhaled carbidopa-levodopa can help manage symptoms that suddenly appear due to the loss of effectiveness of previous medications.
- Carbidopa levodopa infusion that doctors can give through a feeding tube so that the drug goes directly into the small intestine.
- Dopamine agonists that mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain.
- MAO B inhibitors are useful to help prevent damage to brain dopamine by inhibiting the brain enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO B).
- Anticholinergics are useful in helping to control tremors associated with the disease.
- Amantadine, which doctors can give to control involuntary movements (dyskinesia) due to the use of carbidopa levodopa.
2. Operating Procedure
The surgeon implants electrodes into specific parts of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator that the doctor implants in the chest near the collarbone.
This device will send electricity to the brain, so it can reduce the symptoms of the disease. The doctor will adjust the settings on the device according to the patient’s condition.
3. Therapy
In addition to medication and surgery, Parkinson’s sufferers also need to undergo several therapies, namely:
- Physiotherapy aims to improve the body’s ability to move and flexibility. This therapy is also useful for increasing stamina and ability to carry out activities.
- Speech therapy, especially if the sufferer has difficulty speaking and swallowing saliva or food.
- Psychotherapy, for sufferers who experience depression due to their illness. Doctors usually recommend psychotherapy to manage the sufferer’s mental condition.
4. Other Medical Measures
Your doctor may also recommend other efforts, such as lifestyle changes.
In some cases, physical therapy and speech therapy may also be an option. The goal is to maintain body balance and help improve speech problems.
Additionally, MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) may also be an option.
This method is a minimally invasive treatment that has helped some people with Parkinson’s disease manage tremors.
Parkinson’s Disease Prevention
Since the cause is still unclear, there are currently no definite steps to prevent Parkinson’s.
However, some studies have shown that people who consume caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who don’t.
Parkinson’s Disease Complications
Parkinson’s complications can arise if symptoms are not treated with the right steps:
- Difficulty thinking. This usually occurs in the later stages of the disease. Such cognitive problems are not very responsive to medications.
- Depression and emotional changes. Sufferers may experience depression and other emotional changes such as fear, anxiety, or loss of motivation.
- Problems chewing and eating. Late-stage disease affects the muscles in the mouth, making chewing more difficult.
- Sleep problems and sleep disturbances. Sufferers will experience sleep problems including waking up frequently throughout the night, waking up early, or falling asleep during the day.
- Bladder problems. Diseases can cause bladder problems including inability to control urine or difficulty urinating.
- Constipation. Many sufferers experience constipation due to the digestive tract moving more slowly.