What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and causes uncontrollable movements such as shaking, muscle stiffness, and balance difficulties.
Parkinson’s disease is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States, behind Alzheimer’s disease. There are over 10 million people in the world living with Parkinson’s, with approximately 1 million in the United States. This number is expected to increase to 1.2 million by the year 2030.
Parkinson’s disease is especially common in Florida. In fact, Florida has the highest percentage of the state population with Parkinson’s. And, Florida has the second highest number of people with Parkinson’s out of all the states, with 64,000, only behind California. The main risk factor for Parkinson’s is older age, and people over 65 make up more than 21% of Florida’s population. Therefore, the disease is very prevalent in the state of Florida.
Parkinson’s Disease Causes
Parkinson’s symptoms occur when certain nerve cells in the brain break down or die. Specifically, the part of the brain that makes the chemical messenger dopamine will begin to die. When this happens, levels of dopamine decrease. A decrease in dopamine causes atypical brain activity, which in turn leads to impaired muscle movements. Symptoms of Parkinson’s begin to appear when dopamine levels have dropped 60-80%.
Low levels of norepinephrine, a brain substance that regulates dopamine, and the presence of abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies, have also been linked with Parkinson’s.
The exact cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors appear to trigger the disease.
One risk factor for developing Parkinson’s disease is age, as it usually appears around 60 and rarely affects people under 40. In addition, the disease is 1.5 times more prevalent in men than women. Head injuries and a family history of Parkinson’s can also be risk factors. Finally, exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as herbicides and pesticides, may slightly increase the risk of developing the disease, as well.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease come on slowly and can be different for everyone. Symptoms frequently start on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side, even after appearing on the other side.
Early signs may be mild and unnoticeable, often beginning several years before motor problems appear. Some of the earliest signs of Parkinson’s include a decreased sense of smell, constipation, changes in voice and handwriting, and hunched posture.
In addition to these early symptoms, the primary motor problems of people with Parkinson’s include tremors, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, and impaired balance, often leading to falls.
Some of the secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include small, shuffling steps known as Parkinsonian Gait; blank facial expressions; muffled, quiet speech; and loss of automatic movements, including blinking and swinging arms when walking.
Other symptoms associated with Parkinson’s include sleep disturbances, flaky and oily patches on the skin called seborrheic dermatitis, increased melanoma risk, anxiety, depression, attention and memory difficulties, and psychosis.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, some treatments are available:
Medication
Certain medications can significantly control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Medications that increase or substitute for dopamine can help people manage difficulties with tremors, movement, and walking.
The efficacy of these medications can decrease over time. And, the side effects of some medications may outweigh the benefits in the later stages of the disease. A medical professional should be involved in making personalized treatment plans using these medications.
Surgery
Surgery can be the next option for cases of Parkinson’s that do not respond to medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
One of the most common surgical interventions for Parkinson’s is deep brain stimulation, or DBS. During this procedure, electrodes are implanted into specific parts of the brain. A generator then sends electrical pulses to the brain with the expected result of reducing Parkinson’s symptoms.
A newer, pump-delivered therapy called Duopa is another surgical option for treating Parkinson’s. During this procedure, a pump is placed in the body and delivers a combination of different medications to the small intestine.
Speak with your doctor if you think one of these procedures could be right for you or a loved one.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease can be severe, especially in its later stages. However, there are ways to make the disease more manageable and live an active, positive life.
For people diagnosed with Parkinson’s, assisted living might be a smart choice to manage symptoms and get proper care.
If you or your loved one with Parkinson’s disease are considering assisted living, be sure to ask plenty of questions on your tour about how the community handles the disease. Find out if the staff members, nurses, and caregivers are trained and experienced in caring for people with Parkinson’s.
Finding the right senior care can be overwhelming, especially with a medical condition like Parkinson’s that often requires specialized care.
Let Florida Senior Consulting Advisors help.
Our certified senior advisors and professional nurses have expert knowledge of the senior living options in Florida. Finding you the best care possible is our specialty.
Whether you are looking for home health care or senior living options, we will personally help you find the care you need based on your situation.
We believe senior living should be on your terms, and the choice should always be yours.
