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Understanding the Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is the chemical used to send messages from the brain to the muscles to make them move properly.
The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination (i.e., falling). As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks like writing or getting out of a chair.
Parkinson's disease usually affects people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease are subtle and occur gradually. In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in others. As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of Parkinson's disease patients, may begin to interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions.
It is important to note that not all Parkinson's disease patients experience the same symptoms. For example, some patients experience tremor as their primary symptom, while others may not have tremors, but may only have problems maintaining their balance.
There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help in diagnosing Parkinson's disease. Therefore the diagnosis is based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. A neurologist may sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.
Some studies find that a person with Parkinson's disease may lose up to 80 percent of dopamine in his or her body before symptoms appear. In addition, special imaging tests of the brain show that dopamine may decline as much as 10 percent per year in some Parkinson's disease patients. This is why understanding and recognizing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and getting an accurate diagnosis is so important; with early diagnosis and treatment, steps can be taken to help minimize additional dopamine loss in the brain and preserve muscle function.
