Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects how a person moves and is caused by changes in the nervous system. The symptoms happen because there isn’t enough dopamine in the brain. Some early signs are shaking, not being able to smell well, and having trouble coordinating movements.
Doctors aren’t sure why some people get Parkinson’s disease, but they think it might have to do with changes in genes or being around things in the environment that are harmful, like toxins. Keep reading to learn more about the early signs of Parkinson’s disease and why it happens.
Early Signs
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease come on slowly. They usually start with a small shaking in one hand and a feeling of stiffness in the body. As time goes on, other symptoms show up, and some people might have trouble with thinking and memory.
Here are some early signs of Parkinson’s disease:
– Changes in how you move, like shaking
– Trouble with balance and coordination, which might make you drop things or fall
– Losing your sense of smell
– Changes in how you walk, like leaning forward or shuffling
– Your face might look more still because the nerves that control your face muscles change
– Your voice might shake or be quieter
– Your handwriting might get smaller and harder to read
– Having trouble sleeping because your legs are restless or for other reasons
– A sleep problem called rapid eye movement sleep disorder could be a sign, according to a study from 2015
Movement problems might start on one side of your body and then spread to both sides.
Other common symptoms include:
– Feeling sad or down
– Having a hard time eating and swallowing
– Feeling tired a lot
– Having trouble going to the bathroom
– Skin problems
– Having problems with thinking and memory that can get worse over time
Just because you have these symptoms doesn’t mean you have Parkinson’s disease. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, like:
– Parkinsonism
– A head injury
– Encephalitis
– A stroke
– Multiple system atrophy
– Progressive supranuclear palsy
Right now, there isn’t a test to find out if someone has Parkinson’s disease. It can be hard for doctors to tell if it’s Parkinson’s disease or something else, especially in the early stages.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease happens when changes occur in the brain, causing a neurological disorder. Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what triggers it and why it happens, but they’ve found some differences that happen.
Low Levels of Dopamine
The main reason for Parkinson’s disease symptoms is low levels of a chemical called dopamine, which helps the brain send messages for movement and coordination. This happens when cells in the brain that make dopamine start to die.
When dopamine levels drop, it gets harder for people to control their movements, and the symptoms get worse over time.
Low Levels of Norepinephrine
Parkinson’s disease might also damage the nerve endings in the brain that make another chemical called norepinephrine. This chemical helps with blood flow and other things your body does without you thinking about it.
When there’s not enough norepinephrine in Parkinson’s disease, it can make both movement and non-movement symptoms worse. Some of these symptoms include stiffness, shakiness, trouble keeping your balance, feeling anxious or sad, having a hard time focusing or having trouble thinking.
This might be why many people with Parkinson’s disease often feel dizzy or lightheaded when they stand up, which can make them more likely to fall.
Lewy bodies
A person with Parkinson’s disease may have clumps of protein known as alpha-synuclein, or Lewy bodies, in their brain.
The accumulation of Lewy bodies can cause a loss of nerve cells, leading to changes in movement, thinking, behavior, and mood. It can also lead to dementia.
Lewy body dementia is not the same as Parkinson’s disease, but people may have both as the symptoms are similar.
Genetic factors
Experts have identified changes in several genes that appear to have links with Parkinson’s disease, but they do not consider it a hereditary condition.
Genetic factors appear to cause only 10% of cases, mostly among people with early-onset disease.
Autoimmune factors
In a 2017 study, scientists found a possible genetic link between Parkinson’s disease and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
In 2018, researchers investigating health records in Taiwan found that people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases had a 1.37-higher chance of also having Parkinson’s disease.
Risk factors
Several environmental factors may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
These include:
- Past traumatic brain injury: 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, although one 2016 study 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.
Symptoms usually appear from the age of 60 years. However, 5–10%of people with the disease have early onset Parkinson’s, which starts before the age of 50 years.
Do racial factors affect the risk?
In the past, statistics have suggested that Parkinson’s disease is less likely to affect Black people than other people of other ethnicities in the United States.
However, experts now say this may be due to a lack of awareness about how the disease can affect Black individuals and a higher chance of misdiagnosis due to inequities in health provision.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but some lifelong habits may help reduce the risk.
Avoiding toxins
People should take precautions when using potentially toxic chemicals, such as herbicides, pesticides, and solvents.
Where possible, individuals should take the following steps:
- avoiding the unnecessary use of pesticides and herbicides
- using alternatives to products containing known toxins, such as paraquat
- taking precautions, such as wearing protective clothing, when it is not possible to avoid them
Avoid head trauma
For protection from a traumatic brain injury, people can take the following steps:
- 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
Exercise
Regular physical exercise may help prevent or treat Parkinson’s disease, according to a 2018 review. The authors note that physical activity can help maintain dopamine levels in the brain.
Dietary factors
Some dietary choices may also help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s and other diseases. Research has shown that the following may help:
- Turmeric: A mild spice people can add to curries, soups, teas, and other foods. It contains curcumin, an antioxidant ingredient. According to one laboratory study, it may help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by preventing oxidative stress and the clumping of alpha-synuclein protein.
- Flavonoids: Research suggests this antioxidant may lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Berries, apples, some vegetables, tea, and red grapes contain flavonoids.
- Avoiding aldehydes: Heating and reusing some cooking oils, such as sunflower oil, may cause aldehydes to form, which are toxic chemicals with links to Parkinson’s and other diseases. Research from 2020 suggests that potatoes fried in previously used cooking oils could have high levels of aldehydes.
Summary
Parkinson’s disease is a lifelong condition involving neurological changes in the body.
Experts do not know why Parkinson’s disease occurs, but genetic and environmental factors may play a role. Specifically, experts have found strong links between past traumatic brain injury and exposure to toxins.
Exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding toxins may all help prevent Parkinson’s disease, but there is no current evidence to confirm the specific cause.
Disclaimer
The information provided on Refpost.com is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Refpost.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical professional.
For more information Visit https://refpost.com/disclaimer/
