Parkinson's disease (PD), to put it simply, is a progressive illness that disturbs the nervous system. It as well affects the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. Indications start slowly. The initial symptom may be a hardly perceptible tremor in just one hand.
This write-up intends to explain the symptoms, causes, complications and treatment.
Primary symptoms may be minor and go ignored. Indications habitually begin on one side of the body and then typically remain worse on that side, even after signals start to affect the limbs on both sides.
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms
- Your arms may not swing when you walk
- Speech problem
- Feel stiffness in your body, arms or legs
- Mood disorder
- Trouble in moving your bowels
- Loss of smell
- Dizziness or fainting
- Thrash around in bed
Now that you know the symptoms of PD, you must be looking to understand its causes. Read on.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
There are quite a few known risk factors for Parkinson’s disease. The only established causes of Parkinson’s disease are genetic. In cases where it isn’t genetic, specialists categorize it as “idiopathic” meaning they don’t know exactly why it happens.
Parkinson’s disease happens when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement, get weakened /or die. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce a vital brain chemical called dopamine. When the neurons become weak or decease, they produce less dopamine. This accordingly causes the movement problems connected with the disease. Scientists are still working to know what causes the neurons to die. Studies also found a relationship between air pollution and Parkinson's disease.
The moment we learn about a disease the immediate thought that pops up in our mind is the treatment. Well, Parkinson's disease to put it in simple words, can't be cured. Your healthcare professional may suggest different treatment options to delay the progress.
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
The treatments depend on the specific symptoms and how well certain methods work. Medications are the principal way to significantly improve your symptoms. Seldom, do healthcare professionals recommend surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms.
Researchers are working to find other possible treatments that could help with Parkinson’s disease. While these aren’t extensively available, they do give optimism to people with this condition. Some of the tentative treatment approaches include:
- Stem cell transplants
- Neuron-repair treatments
- Gene therapies and gene-targeted treatments
A healthy diet may at times support overall wellness. Often experts suggest massage therapy to reduce tension and yoga and tai chi to increase stretching and flexibility. Exercises are often recommended to toughen muscles and improve flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Physical, and speech therapies, may often help with voice disorders, tremors and inflexibility.
The Best Diet for Parkinson’s Disease
- Eat plenty of protein (avoid protein when taking levodopa medication)
- Increase your fiber intake
- Drink plenty of water
5 Fruits that May Enhance Cognitive Function and Lower the Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia:
- Apples
- Avocados
- Blueberries
- Pomegranate
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
The Best Type of Doctor to Consult for Parkinson's Disease:
The best specialist to diagnose and treat the disease is the neurologist because Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. These professionals are proficient in movement disorders and can assess your state, diagnose if its Parkinson's disease, and suggest fitting treatment. Convey the doctor you first began experiencing symptoms, do you have symptoms all the time, or do they come and go, does anything seem to make your symptoms worse etc.
Wrapping up
Parkinson’s disease is a very common condition. It’s more seen in aged people. Parkinson though isn't curable. But thanks to advances in treatment and care, there are various ways to treat this condition. People can now live for years or even decades with this condition. Consult a neurologist before it’s too late and enjoy a healthy life.
