Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

 Parkinson's disease is a serious chronic disease that affects the nervous system. The danger is that it is accompanied by movement disorders that increase with development. In later stages, these disorders can be so severe that they lead to disability.

An effective treatment for patients with this disease has not yet been found, however, competent supportive therapy can reduce the severity of symptoms and slow down the progression of the pathology. You can consult a neurologist if you suspect Parkinson's disease, as well as undergo the necessary diagnostics at the Medical Center on Botanichnaya.

What is Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative pathology due to the destruction of brain neurons that produce dopamine. The less of this hormone in the body, the weaker a person can control his own movements. As a result, coordination is impaired, muscles weaken, and general pathological stiffness appears. In addition, sometimes violations also affect the intellectual and mental sphere.

The disease was named after Dr. James Parkinson, who in 1817 published “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy,” where the symptoms of the disease were first described.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Main symptoms of Parkinson's disease:

• Tremor of the limbs is often the first sign of pathology. At rest, the patient’s hands tremble uncontrollably, and in more severe stages also the tongue, lower jaw, and eyelids;
• slow, stiff movements, shuffling gait;
• quiet and emotionless speech;
• constant tension in the muscles;
• mask effect on the face (hypomimia). The facial muscles stop moving normally, so the person looks devoid of emotions;
• difficulties with coordination and maintaining balance; in later stages, the patient may fall when trying to move without assistance;
• disturbances in the functioning of the salivary, sweat, sebaceous glands, loss of smell.

As the disease progresses, these symptoms may intensify and multiply. Sometimes the above-mentioned manifestations are accompanied by sleep disturbances, pain, depression and other symptoms.

Stages of Parkinson's disease

In modern medicine, the stages of Parkinson's disease are determined using a scale developed by Margaret Hoehn and Melvina Yaru in the mid-twentieth century (the so-called Hoehn-Jaru scale).

There are 6 stages in this system:

• zero stage . Pathological changes in the brain are already occurring, but external signs of the disease are still invisible;
• 1st stage . Movements are slightly impaired and only on one side of the body, lethargy and insomnia may appear;
• 2nd stage . Movement disorders affect the left and right sides, but the patient can maintain balance and walk independently;
• 3rd stage . Moving without support becomes more difficult, but still possible. Severe hypokinesia appears: a “frozen” facial expression, a tense posture that does not change;
• 4th stage . Coordination is significantly impaired and the vestibular apparatus suffers. A person can only make simple movements;
• 5th stage . The damage to the nervous system reaches its peak: the patient cannot move, serve himself, or eat food without outside help. Speech disturbances are noted, and in some cases severe dementia develops.

As a rule, the disease progresses quite slowly. However, in order to prevent a rapid and irreversible transition to the next stage, it is important to identify the disease as early as possible and begin therapy.

What forms does the disease take?

Depending on which group of symptoms predominates in a particular patient, different forms of the disease are distinguished.

Three forms of Parkinson's disease:

1. Trembling . The disease manifests itself as tremors of the hands, head, and tongue.
2. Akinetic-rigid . The disease is mostly manifested by stiffness of movement and constant muscle tone.
3. Mixed . Both groups of symptoms are present.

Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

The disease can be diagnosed by examining the patient, talking and clarifying the symptoms. Sometimes the doctor prescribes an MRI or CT scan of the brain, as well as an ultrasound scan, to distinguish Parkinson's disease from other neurological pathologies.

To ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, it is important to monitor the early signs of Parkinson's disease and not ignore them. A barely noticeable trembling of one hand is often a reason to consult a neurologist.

Risk factors for developing the disease

The reasons why Parkinson's disease develops remain largely unknown to science. With a probability of 80% it occurs unmotivated and is not a complication of any previous illness.

Scientists suggest that in some cases the occurrence of Parkinson's disease can be triggered by factors such as:

1. Heredity. Approximately 15% of patients have relatives who also suffered from this disease.
2. Unhealthy environmental conditions, systematic exposure of the body to pesticides, heavy metal salts and other hazardous substances.
3. Brain damage as a result of trauma, stroke, tumor processes, infectious diseases.
4. Impact of toxic substances on the brain: ethyl alcohol, drugs, some potent medications.
5. Lack of vitamin D in the body.

Old age itself and the natural processes of aging are also a risk factor, because over time the number of nerve cells decreases in each person. In most cases, the disease affects people over 55–65 years of age.

Is treatment possible?

Treatment for Parkinson's disease is carried out with two goals: to relieve the symptoms of the disease and to delay the worsening of the condition. It is impossible to completely cure the pathology and restore the affected brain cells, but supportive treatment can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

What 3 areas does classical therapy include:

1. Drug treatment. The doctor can select drugs that will partially compensate for the lack of dopamine in the body and stimulate its production. Due to this, it is easier for the patient to walk and perform any actions, and the tremor of the limbs becomes less pronounced.
2. Non-medicinal methods - massage, physical therapy, physiotherapy. These techniques are gentle, have no contraindications and complement the main therapy.
3. Neurosurgical treatment . In severe cases, when medications are poorly tolerated or do not bring improvement, surgery may be prescribed.

Prevention of Parkinson's disease

To reduce the risk of illness, it is recommended:

• identify and treat vascular pathologies that affect the brain;
• avoid stress and monitor your emotional background;
• exercise regularly;
• add foods high in fiber and B vitamins to your diet, as well as apples, oranges, grapefruits;
• At the first alarming symptoms, contact a therapist or neurologist.

Diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease in Moscow

With Parkinson's disease and other diseases of the nervous system, timely assistance from a doctor is important. At the Medical Center on Botanichnaya, you can get a consultation with a neurologist, undergo an examination and discuss further actions with a specialist so that the active life phase lasts as long as possible.