Most Common Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
A neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease affects almost four million worldwide. It leads to the degeneration of the brain’s dopamine-producing cells, impairing bodily and motor functions. The problem with Parkinson’s is that it is hard to say whether someone is affected because most symptoms are common across many diseases and are even brought on naturally by old age. By the time doctors diagnose it, patients would have lost over 60% to 80% of dopamine-producing brain cells.
- Shaking and Tremors : This is one of the first and most common Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Starting with your arms or feet, you might find your body shaking or experiencing mild tremors coursing through your body.
Are there any treatments?
Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, but here are a few treatments that can help maintain the quality of life and increase or mimic the dopamine content in your brain. There are a few medications like Carbidopa-levodopa, Dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, and Tolcapone. They can help prevent a few symptoms of Parkinson’s, and some of them can convert into dopamine as well.
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that involves the implantation of electrodes in your brain. These electrodes are then connected to your chest, next to your collarbone, to a generator. Electric pulses will be sent to your brain, and Parkinson’s disease symptoms will reduce. However, this procedure comes along with risks like stroke, brain infection, and hemorrhage.
How to take care of someone who is suffering?
Watching your loved one suffer from any disease is heart-wrenching. Parkinson’s disease is one of those diseases that interferes with the quality of life progressively. Taking care of the patient and helping them cope can make it easier for both you and your loved one.
- Make sure you keep track of all the appointments you have with the doctor, the medications and when it should be administered, and the routine of the patient.
- Keep yourself abreast of the situation and learn everything there is about this disease.
- Since movement is inhibited, rearrange the house in such a way that the patient can access what he or she needs without your help all the time.
- Support and encouragement are necessary. Many patients who have Parkinson’s end up with anxiety and depression as well. Be understanding of their situation.
- It can be a difficult time for you, so talk to a friend or a therapist about it.