What is Parkinson’s disease? Its Symptoms and Treatments

Parkinson’s disease, a complex and progressive neurological disorder, affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is primarily recognized for its characteristic symptoms, including bradykinesia (slowed movements), tremors, and balance issues. While there is no known cure, several therapies and drugs can help to control symptoms and enhance the patient’s quality of life.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that impairs mobility by affecting dopamine-producing nerve cells of the brain. This age-related neurodegenerative disorder causes movement-related problems and other health issues.

In addition to motor symptoms such as tremors, delayed motions, and muscle rigidity, the condition also exhibits non-motor symptoms, including depression, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties.

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

The exact causes of Parkinson’s disease are unknown; however, it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors plays a crucial role in the occurrence of the disease.

• Genetic factors, including specific gene mutations, increase the risk of Parkinson’s.
• Environmental factors, such as pesticide exposure, exposure to certain chemicals, or head injuries, may cause the disease in people with a genetic predisposition.

Parkinson’s disease is also characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that regulates movement. A deficiency of dopamine leads to motor symptoms, which are the characteristics of the disease.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Motor- related Symptoms

Tremors: One of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is an involuntary shaking of different body parts like fingers, hands, legs, jaws, and head, mainly at rest. Patients may experience tremors on one side of the body, and eventually, it affects another side with the progression of the disorder.

Bradykinesia (slowed movements): Walking and standing up become difficult for individuals as they perceive a noticeable delay in voluntary movements. Additionally, repetitive movements become challenging for individuals and slow to initiate and perform.

Muscle Rigidity:  Patients have muscle rigidity that makes it difficult for them to move their limbs effectively.

Instability of posture: Parkinson’s disease frequently causes difficulties with balance and coordination, which raises the risk of falling. Patients may struggle to keep their posture straight, which might cause them to lean or fall backward.

Changes in Handwriting: Handwriting becomes significantly smaller and more difficult to read.

Speech Modifications: Patients experience a softening of their voice, which reduces volume and clarity.

Reduced facial expression: Parkinson’s disease frequently results in a decrease in the number of facial expressions, giving the face a fixed, expressionless aspect. Natural facial movements, such as blinking or smiling, become little or absent.

Non-motor Symptoms

Depression and Anxiety: Patients experience common emotional symptoms that are frequently linked to the difficulties of managing a chronic illness.

Sleep disturbances: These can include restless legs, sleeplessness, rapid eye movement (REM), and frequent awakenings at night.

Cognitive Changes: Slowed thinking, trouble focusing, and mild memory impairment can also be observed in Parkinson’s disease.

Constipation: It is a common digestive problem associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Loss of smell: An impaired sense of smell, such as anosmia or hyposmia occurs when the patient is unable to smell or the sense of smell decreases.

Process of Diagnosis

In the absence of conclusive diagnostics, Parkinson’s disease diagnosis might be difficult. In addition to a thorough physical exam and evaluation of symptoms, neurologists often rely on a thorough medical history. Neuroimaging tests like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or DaTscan (a dopamine transporter imaging tool) are occasionally used to rule out other illnesses that have comparable symptoms.

Parkinson’s Disease Progression

Understanding the stages of progression can help in managing the condition more effectively.

Stage 1: Early Symptoms

Characteristics: Mild symptoms, usually on one side of the body.
Symptoms: Slight tremors, minor changes in posture, facial expression reduction.
Impact: Daily activities are minimally affected.

Stage 2: Moderate Symptoms

Characteristics: Symptoms appear on both sides of the body.
Symptoms: Increased tremors, muscle stiffness, bradykinesia.
Impact: Basic tasks become harder, but independence is maintained.

Stage 3: Mid-Stage Progression

Characteristics: Balance issues and slower movements become prominent.
Symptoms: Significant bradykinesia, falls, and coordination difficulties.
Impact: Daily activities require assistance; more noticeable non-motor symptoms.

Stage 4: Advanced Symptoms

Characteristics: Severe motor symptoms limit mobility.
Symptoms: Severe tremors, rigidity, and difficulty walking.
Impact: Assistance needed for most daily activities, possible need for a walker.

Stage 5: Severe Stage

Characteristics: Most debilitating stage.
Symptoms: Inability to stand or walk, severe cognitive impairments.
Impact: Requires constant care, wheelchair-bound, severe non-motor symptoms like dementia

Parkinson’s Disease Treatments

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, numerous treatments can help patients live better lives and control their symptoms.

1. Medication

Several allopathic drugs are used for treating motor symptoms. However, using allopathic medicines for a prolonged period can cause some side effects like nausea, vomiting, restlessness, reduced blood pressure, involuntary movements like twitching, hallucinations, edema, sleeplessness, and more.

Homeopathic Medicine for Parkinson

Homeopathic medications are effective in reducing and controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease without any side effects.

Causticum is used to decrease muscle rigidity. Other notable homeopathic medicines for controlling tremors are GelsemiumSempervirens, MercuriusSolubilis, ZincumMetallicum, and ArgentumNitricum. PlumbumMetallicum is beneficial in improving slowed movements and providing ease to patients. It is important to strictly adhere to the instructions given by physicians before starting to take the medicines. Each medicine has its own specific role in controlling the symptoms, and it varies from case to case.

2. Physical Therapy

It can help manage motor symptoms and improve mobility by using exercises to increase balance and flexibility.

3. Occupational therapy

The primary objective of occupational therapy is to help patients maintain their independence by refining their life skills and teaching them new ways to perform everyday tasks.

4. Speech Therapy

Speech therapy aids those who struggle with swallowing and speaking, two prominent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

5. Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

In more severe circumstances, DBS surgery involves implanting electrodes in particular brain regions to control abnormal neural activity, lower motor symptoms, and enhance overall function.

Conclusion

Despite the difficulties brought on by Parkinson’s disease, continued research and improvements in treatments are greatly improving the quality of life for affected individuals. Parkinson’s patients might find happiness with the assistance of medical professionals and caretakers. They are guided by these professionals while they go through a thorough course of therapy that includes drugs, treatments, and lifestyle changes. Start improving your Parkinson’s symptoms today with an online consultation at PMRI Homeo. Connect with our experts now!