Parkinson's: What is it?
- Emily
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
Parkinson's is a progressive, neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain which can often get worse over time. The disorder predominantly affects the dopamine producing neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra.
Parkinson’s UK have found that around 153,000 individuals within the UK alone live with the condition; it’s the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
Symptoms start slowly, the first could be a barely noticeable tremor in one hand. In the early stages of developing Parkinson’s, your face may show little to no expression, your arms may not swing properly when you walk, or you might slur your words - symptoms get worse over time.
Idiopathic Parkinson’s
Idiopathic Parkinson’s is the most common type of Parkinson’s. Idiopathic means that the cause is unknown. The condition is known to cause several symptoms, and these can vary from person to person.
Common symptoms often include:
Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) - Your movement may be slower, making simple tasks more difficult. You may struggle getting out of a chair or may find showering increasingly difficult.
Tremors - This rhythmic shaking usually starts in the hands, fingers, foot or jaw. You may experience tremors when under stress or when resting.
Stiffness - You may have stiff muscles all over your body with tense, jerky motions when moving
Loss of automatic movement - You may be less able to make automatic movements that you’d typically do without thought, such as blinking or smiling.
Nonmotor Symptoms - This can include anxiety, depression, constipation and sleep problems. It can also include bladder issues, fatigue, memory loss or trouble smelling.
Handwriting Alterations - It may become difficult to draw or write; you may notice your handwriting will appear cramped and small
Other Types of Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism is a term that covers several conditions, including Parkinson’s and others with similar symptoms. Some healthcare professionals refer to it as “Parkinson’s disease”, or “PD”, though most sufferers prefer to avoid the term disease as it sounds negative and infectious. Unlike the flu, you can’t catch Parkinson’s from someone.
Vascular Parkinsonism
Vascular Parkinsonism is a variation of the condition which affects people whose blood supply to their brain is limited - if you have recently had a mild stroke, for example. The symptoms are similar to those above, but it tends to have a stronger influence on mobility. Those who have the condition often have problems walking; they might be unsteady, walk in shuffles or have severe balance problems.
Drug Induced Parkinsonism
The symptoms of drug induced parkinsonism include slowness of movement, tremors, stiffness and difficulty walking. These symptoms tend to appear quickly, but often stay the same - it’s rare that symptoms worsen like in Parkinson’s.
Neuroleptic drugs, used to treat schizophrenia and other mental health conditions are the biggest cause of drug induced parkinsonism as they block the action of dopamine in the brain. People tend to recover relatively fast once they’ve stopped taking the drug that triggered it.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
MSA is a rare condition that affects the nervous systems and causes nerve cell damage within the brain. Similar to Parkinson’s, it can cause both stiffness and slowness in the early stage of the condition. People can also develop symptoms that are more unusual within Parkinson’s, such as vertigo, bladder problems and issues regarding speech, coordination and balance.
Causes
In Parkinson’s, nerve calls in the brain slowly break down or die. Decreased dopamine leads to irregular brain activity, which in turn causes movement problems and other symptoms of Parkinson’s. Those who suffer with the condition also lose another chemical messenger called norepinephrine, which controls many bodily functions such as blood pressure.
The direct finite cause of Parkinson’s remains unknown, but several factors seem to play a role in influencing it. Currently, researchers believe that it’s a combination of age, genetics, and environmental factors that cause the dopamine producing nerve cells to die.
Individuals who have Parkinson’s can undergo several changes within their brain. Researchers are currently studying why these changes happen, and the roles in which they play. These changes include:
Lewy Bodies - Clumps of proteins in the brain are associated with Parkinson’s. These are called Lewy bodies, and researchers believe these proteins hold an important clue to the cause of the condition
Alpha Synuclein - This protein is found inside lewy bodies and it is currently a focus point in the current research. These proteins are often found in the spinal fluid of individuals who later develop Parkinson’s.
Altered Mitochondria - Mitochondria are powerhouse components inside of cells; any changes to these can cause cell damage as a result. These altered cell parts are found in the brains of those with Parkinson’s.
Treatment
Although there is no known cure for Parkinson’s, treatment options are vast and include medications, lifestyle alterations and surgery in some cases. While Parkinson’s itself isn’t fatal, complications can be serious.
The first step to living well with Parkinson’s is to fully understand the condition and its progression. It is possible to have a good to great quality of life with PD. Working closely alongside your doctor and following the recommended therapies are essential when it comes to treating symptoms, especially when using dopaminergic medications. Those with Parkinson's need this type of medication due to the impairment of neurons within the substantia nigra.
It’s important to understand that motor symptoms of Parkinson’s get more evident later in the condition’s course, after approximately 60% - 80% of the neurons have already been lost or impaired.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are many resources available to help families affected by the condition.
This Parkinson’s Awareness Week, we’ll be looking at tips and giving advice to help you support and care for those who suffer with Parkinson’s.
Let’s use the week to spread awareness, support research and show those living with Parkinson’s that they are not alone. Whether it’s a family member, friend or someone in your community, your support can truly make a difference.
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