Friday, December 13, 2024

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: Causes, Risks and Treatment

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Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that affects the nervous system. Its symptoms occur because of low dopamine levels in the brain. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually. They often start with a slight tremor in one hand and a feeling of stiffness in the body. Over time, other symptoms develop, and some people can experience dementia.

Signs of Parkinson’s disease

  • Movement changes, such as tremors
  • Coordination and balance impairments that can cause a person to drop things or fall over
  • A loss of sense of smell
  • Gait changes, so a person leans forward slightly or shuffles when walking
  • Fixed facial expressions due to changes in the nerves that control face muscles
  • A voice tremor or softer voice
  • More cramped and smaller handwriting
  • Sleep problems resulting from restless legs and other factors
  • Rapid eye movement sleep  disorder may be a powerful predictor
  • Mood changes, including depression
  • Difficulty chewing and swallowing
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Skin problems
  • Dementia, delusions, and hallucinations that can develop in time

Risk factors

Several environmental factors may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

  • Past traumatic brain injury trusted source- Head injuries from contact sports, for example, may increase the risk of the condition.
  • Toxin exposure: Such as pesticides, solvents, metals, and other pollutants.
  • Gender: Males are 50% more likely to develop the condition than females, which suggests the risk for females may increase with age.
  • Age: The condition often appears from the age of 60 years.
  • Some drugs and medications: Certain medicines can lead to Parkinsonism, where a person has tremors and other symptoms but does not have Parkinson’s disease.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but some lifelong habits may help reduce the risk.

  • Avoiding the unnecessary use of pesticides and herbicides
  • Using alternatives to products containing known toxins
  • Taking precautions, such as wearing protective clothing, when it is not possible to avoid them
  • Wearing protective headgear during contact sports
  • Wearing a helmet when cycling or motorcycling
  • Using a safety belt when traveling by car
  • Seeking medical attention for concussion and avoiding future risks until a doctor says it is safe to do so
  • Regular physical exercise may help prevent or treat Parkinson’s disease
  • Antioxidants may lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes contain flavonoids

Also read: How do Alzheimer’s Patients Feel?

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