Parkinson’s disease is a chronic health ailment arising due to progressive degeneration of Dopamine producing neurons of brain. It leads to slowing of movement,stiffness, tremors, difficulty with balance and coordination.
It is a disease of elderly and most affected patients are aged more than 60 years with equal propensity for affecting males and females. However rarely patients present at less than 50 years of age.
Most of the patients present with physical symptoms, Resting tremors being the earliest symptoms followed by Rigidity and loss of automatic movements.In advanced stages patients also experience behavioural changes, insomnia, depression, fatigue and memory loss.
Signs and symptoms
Clinical features of Parkinson’s disease can vary from person to person. The early signs of Parkinson’s disease can be mild and go unnoticed. However, people suffering from this disease have first noticed symptoms at one side of their body that worsens over time. Here we’ve listed some common symptoms, which include the following
- Tremor or shaking that begins in one limb, often affecting thumb and index finger and occuring at rest.
- Stiff muscles at any part of your body.
- Stooped posture and impaired balance.
- Loss of automatic such as blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms while walking.
- Low volume speech.
- Difficulty writing
Diagnosis
No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson’s disease.
A thorough clinical history and evaluation of clinical signs and symptoms guides a Neurologist to make diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.
Investigations such as Laboratory tests and MRI may be ordered by consulting doctor.
SPECT and DaT scans are now available to provide support to clinical diagnosis.
Significant improvement with dopaminergic medication will often confirm your diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment
Treatment in Parkinson’s Disease is aimed at providing optimal symptom control and facilitate quality of life.
Non Pharmalogical approach –
DIET –
Diet high if fibre with adequate liquids prevents constipation. Food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids is beneficial.
EXERCISE –
Exercising may increase your muscle strength, flexibility and balance. Exercise can also improve your well-being and reduce depression or anxiety.
Pharmacological approach —
Medications
- Carbidopa-levodopa.
- Dopamine agonists.
- MAO B inhibitors.
- Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors.
- Anticholinergics
- Amantadine
Surgical procedures
Deep brain stimulation
In deep brain stimulation (DBS), surgeons implant electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in your chest near your collarbone that sends electrical pulses to your brain and may reduce your Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Electrical pulse settings are adjusted as necessary. Surgery involves risks, including infections, strokes or brain