We all know a something about Parkinson’s disease, but do we know the facts? Let’s strip it back to basics…
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition caused by a lack of dopamine in the substantia nigra.
The substantia nigra, found in the mid-brain, is a group of nerve cells that are responsible for producing a large amount of dopamine in the body. The dopamine from the substantia nigra helps the body function properly, and is responsible for movement such as walking, talking and eating.
Parkinson’s disease, named in 1817 after Dr James Parkinson, effects over 4.5 million people worldwide. Mostly the disease develops in over 60 years olds; however, people under 50 can get it too. Behind Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is the most common neurodegenerative condition.
What are the causes?
Currently, the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown. There is plenty of ongoing research into the disease and there is evidence to suggest it could be hereditary. Furthermore, pesticides, toxins and chemicals found in agricultural work have also been linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Stage 1
During the initial stage of Parkinson’s disease, daily routine is mostly uninterrupted by symptoms. It’s common for loved ones and friends to notice a difference in movement, such as light tremors in the hand, before the individual does. At this point, medication can be effective to manage symptoms.
Stage 2
From stage 1, the progression to this point can take months or even years. Symptoms are much more noticeable by now. For instance, tremors in the hand become more severe and changes in facial expressions arise. Speech difficulty at this stage is also common and overall symptoms are on both sides at the body at this stage. Daily tasks become much tougher.
Stage 3
The severity of symptoms increase in Stage 3. As balance and co-ordination is very difficult by this point, stage 3 Parkinson’s disease patients should be very careful as falls and trips arise more often. Part or full time care is recommended.
Stage 4
By this point, most individuals will need full time care, as mobility is very restricted. Daily tasks should be supervised and walking will be much slower and cause fatigue.
Stage 5
By stage 5, patients are wheelchair bound. Full-time assistance is required to prevent injury when walking. Other side effects can include dementia, delusions and hallucinations.
Treatment for Parkinson’s disease is dependent on which stage the disease is diagnosed, meaning it’s important to have regular checks if you are fit the criteria of any of the above symptoms. Parkinson’s disease also varies for each person, meaning it’s common to try a range of treatments.
There is a variety of treatments for Parkinson’s disease; as mentioned earlier, there’s no cure, but there are solutions which can help symptoms and enhance wellbeing.
Since Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disease, it affects the patient's motor ability, balance and daily activities. Based on the above understanding of Parkinson's disease, I hope the following ten tips can help you
1. Maintain regular exercise
Moderate exercise can help improve muscle strength, balance and joint flexibility. For example, walking, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, stretching exercises, etc. are all beneficial to Parkinson's patients.
2. Develop healthy eating habits
Eating more foods rich in antioxidants (such as vegetables, fruits, nuts), and consuming foods rich in omega-3 (such as deep-sea fish, flax seeds) in moderation, which is helpful for brain health. At the same time, eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as oats and brown rice, to reduce constipation problems.
3. Avoid falls and take precautions
Parkinson's patients are prone to losing balance and should take precautions to prevent falls at home:
✅ Remove carpets and debris from the home to avoid tripping
✅ Use anti-skid mats, especially in the bathroom and kitchen
✅ Install handrails, such as handrails next to toilets and bathtubs, for easy support
✅ Wear non-slip shoes and avoid slippers that are easy to slip
4. Develop good sleeping habits
Parkinson's patients often have problems such as insomnia, hyperactivity at night, and nightmares. You can try:
🌙 Fixed work and rest time, go to bed and get up at the same time every day
🌙 Avoid taking too long naps and excessive naps in the afternoon
🌙 Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake and keep the environment quiet before bed
5. Practice slow and steady movements
Parkinson's can cause slow or stiff movements, so daily activities should be slowed down to avoid standing up suddenly or turning quickly to reduce the risk of dizziness and falls
6. Speech training
Some Parkinson's patients may have problems with lower voice and unclear speech. You can:
🗣 Perform voice exercises every day (such as reading aloud and singing)
🗣 Practice deep breathing to enhance voice ability
🗣 Use auxiliary tools, such as microphones to amplify sound
7. Maintain social activities
Don't isolate yourself because of the disease. Keep communicating with family and friends. You can increase social interaction through phone calls, social media, community activities, etc. to avoid depression and anxiety.
8. Take medication on time and have regular follow-up visits
Parkinson's disease medications need to be taken for a long time. You must take the medication on time as prescribed by the doctor and go to the hospital for regular follow-up visits. If the efficacy of the drug is weakened, side effects or other problems occur, consult the doctor in time to adjust the plan.
9. Perform hand flexibility training
Parkinson's patients may have stiff hands and reduced flexibility. They can do simple hand exercises to maintain flexibility, such as:
✋ Make a fist and then open it, repeat many times
✋ Knead a soft ball to strengthen hand strength
✋ Practice using chopsticks and writing to maintain fine motor skills
10. Maintain a positive attitude
Although Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, it can be delayed through good living habits. Family members and patients should maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and seek psychological support in a timely manner, such as participating in Parkinson's disease patient support groups, exchanging experiences with others, and enhancing confidence.
🌟 Warm reminder: Everyone's condition is different. If you have severe tremors or memory loss and severe physical reactions, then I suggest that you seek help from a professional doctor in time to avoid worsening of the condition. If you think your family may have Parkinson's disease, you may share this article with them to help them better understand Parkinson's disease.
