Early signs of Parkinson’s for better disease management

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that causes impairment in movement and progresses gradually over time. It is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes a loss of cells and neurons in that part of the brain that controls movements. Parkinson's can cause rigidity and stiffness of muscles, tremors and shaking, and problems in hand-eye-body co-ordination.

Dopamine is a chemical or a neurotransmitter that transfers and relays messages from the substantia nigra, or the dopamine producing neurons, to other parts of the brain to regular movements and other bodily functions. Onslaught of Parkinson's can result into depletion of dopamine. When 60% to 80% of dopamine producing capabilities get degenerated, Parkinson's manifests itself.

Parkinson's disease is an idiopathic disorder. This means that there has not been any proven cause for the disorder. In many cases, the interaction and clashing of a person's genes and their direct physical environment results into a bout of Parkinson's, thus pointing to the hereditary origin of the disease. In other cases, it can be triggered by use of certain kinds of drugs or medication. Severe head trauma or injury can also cause Parkinson's disorder.  Generally considered an age related disorder, the young and seemingly healthy could also have an early onset of Parkinson's and concomitant symptoms. Among other causes, are prolonged exposures to certain types of radiation or toxins?

It is important to look out for the primary symptoms of Parkinson's. The disorder is generally diagnosed when four main motor symptoms manifest themselves. Over a period of time some other, secondary and tertiary symptoms develop too.

Primary Motor Symptoms

1.  Resting Tremor

This is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson's. In its nascent stages, Parkinson's can because tremors, or oscillations in hands, legs, and even face and jaw in some cases. Abrupt shaking and uncontrolled tremors while at rest is one of the most telling signs of the onset of the disorder. The tremor can intensify if the patient is excited. In the inchoate stages, flexing and deliberate holding can contain a tremor, but as the disease progresses, tremors get increasingly difficult to control.

       2. Bradykinesia

Bradykinesia is slow movement. Parkinson's causes your reactivity to slow down, in an almost abnormal manner. Facial expressions also take time to change.  Repetitive movements are an ordeal and everyday tasks like buttoning a shirt, or brushing teeth, or clipping nails become difficult to do. This symptom can also cause speech impairment.

         3.  Rigidity

Feeling unusual stiffness in muscles, loss of body flexibility and rigidity in movements are common symptoms of Parkinson's disorder. Tightness in leg, neck and shoulder is observed in most patients. This can cause long bouts of pain and affect regular movement

        4.   Postural Instability

Inability to stand erect and having an unstable posture is another symptom to look out for. The patient might lose balance and orientation, and may be prone to tripping and falling without provocation. There is a marked tendency to get a backward sway every time one rises up from a chair, while suffering from this disorder. These further ups the chances of a fall and care must be taken to avoid that.

Secondary Motor Symptoms include-

·         Freezing

·         Micrographia or an unusual reduction of handwriting. Alphabets get scrawnier and haphazardly placed due to difficulty in practicing repetitive motion during Parkinson's.

·         Mask-like, deadpan expression

·         Undesirable acceleration or quick, uncoordinated movements.

Other symptoms that can be observed during this disorder are

·         Insomnia

·         Excessive daytime sleepiness

·         Nightmares

·         Sleep attacks

·         REM sleep behavior disorder

·         Periodic leg movement disorder

·         Restless legs syndrome 

·         Sleep apnea

·         Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)

Although Parkinson's is not considered a fatal disease, symptoms are progressive and the condition usually exacerbates rather exponentially. There are several stages of Parkinson's. Stage 1 is usually the mildest, with symptoms that can be controlled. Stage 5 on the other hand is the severest, with complete dependence on another.

Cure for Parkinson's is yet to be discovered. Medication and treatment exists however to delay the symptoms as much as possible.

There are prescription medicines, over the counter medicines, surgical solutions and also physical, speech as well as psychological therapy.

Dopamine depletion cannot be reversed or arrested. Even so, some of the following medications are a great help in curbing and delaying Parkinson's-

Ø  Dopaminergic agents –

These are the most effective therapies for Parkinson's patients, improving all of the motor symptoms. Some dopaminergic medications may cause sleepiness.

Ø  COMT inhibitors

These are responsible for blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. It helps with impaired movement.

Ø  MAO-B inhibitors

This is used to prolong the action of dopamine in the brain to bring about an improvement in the symptoms. However these may cause sleeplessness.

Ø  Anti-cholinergics

These are used to restore the balance between acetylcholine and dopamine, thus improving tremor and rigidity.

Ø  Amantadine

This is an antiviral drug that improves tremor, rigidity, and movement control.

It is crucial for Parkinson's patients to get enough sunlight and a taste of the great outdoors. They are encouraged to embrace the bad hand that life has dealt them and try to look for positivity. Exercise is an absolute must for patients. Light therapy is suggested to help with the disturbed sleep patterns.

A lot of research and many studies are being conducted by scientists and doctor the world over to know more about Parkinson's. Several medical trials are introduced by doctors across the globe to try various alternative treatments in a bid to delay the symptoms to a great extent.

Research is also underway to find a cure for Parkinson's. While it has proven to be difficult so far, medical science has taken many leaps in the recent past. Several pipeline projects exist which are trying to find solution to this unfortunate, crippling problem.

It is best to be optimistic that a cure will soon be discovered, which will not just improve, but also successfully reverse the many painful and humiliating symptoms of those suffering from this anathema.