What is Parkinson’s Disease? What are its symptoms? And what are the treatment methods?

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is classified among the group of progressive brain disorders, also known as neurodegenerative diseases, primarily affecting people over the age of 60. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for electrical communication between brain cells. The part of the brain where dopamine operates plays a role in regulating purposeful movement, ensuring that our movements are smooth and intentional. Parkinson’s disease occurs when 60-80% of dopamine-producing cells are lost. Symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary among patients, especially in the early stages.

What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease typically begins on one side of the body and progresses to the other over time. Its primary symptoms include slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and tremors. These tremors often appear unilaterally, affecting the hand or foot at rest, accompanied by stiffness in joints and reduced movement. Other signs include:

• Reduced or lost arm swinging while walking.
• Difficulty walking, pressing buttons, getting in or out of bed.
• Masked facial expressions.
• Soft, low speech.
• Shrinking handwriting.
• A tendency to lean forward while standing or walking.

Beyond motor symptoms, non-motor issues such as constipation, low blood pressure, depression, sleep disturbances, restless leg syndrome, and loss of the sense of smell may also occur. In advanced stages, walking difficulties, balance issues, freezing episodes, and falls become more common. Some patients may also experience dementia in later stages.

What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s results from the loss of neurons responsible for dopamine production in the brain. Although dopamine levels naturally decline with age, those with Parkinson’s experience an accelerated and severe reduction. While the exact cause remains unknown, age-related degeneration contributes to the onset of symptoms.

How is Parkinson’s Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Parkinson’s relies on a patient’s medical history and neurological examination. It’s essential to consider that some medications can mimic Parkinson’s symptoms. Blood biochemistry and MRI imaging can aid in the diagnosis. In recent years, the Dat-Scan technique has allowed for earlier detection by visualizing active dopamine cells using radioactive markers. Since 2018, a limited number of centers in Turkey have adopted this method with approval from the Ministry of Health. Dat-Scan helps distinguish Parkinson’s from other age-related or neurological conditions.

How is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?

In Turkey, Parkinson’s treatment primarily involves medications aimed at increasing dopamine levels in the brain. In cases where medications become ineffective or side effects arise, surgical options may be explored. Medications typically enhance dopamine transmission; however, prolonged use may lead to fluctuations in response, causing involuntary movements (dyskinesia) or non-responsiveness (off-periods). To delay these side effects, doctors prescribe the lowest effective dose.

For patients under 65 without cognitive decline, dopamine agonists are often the first line of treatment. Additional strategies may be implemented to address tremors, dementia, depression, or sleep disturbances.

In some patients, drugs provide long-lasting relief, allowing them to maintain a relatively normal life. However, others may experience limited response or develop side effects, necessitating surgical intervention.

Surgical Treatment: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

For those unresponsive to medication, deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers a surgical alternative. DBS involves implanting thin wires into dopamine-producing regions in the brain and delivering continuous electrical impulses through a generator placed under the skin in the chest. This method helps regulate abnormal brain activity, alleviating symptoms similar to how a pacemaker regulates the heart.

FAQs About Parkinson’s Disease

• What age group is most affected?
  Symptoms typically appear between ages 40-70, though genetic forms may manifest earlier. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women.
• What type of disease is Parkinson’s?
  Parkinson’s is a progressive brain disorder characterized by dopamine depletion. Symptoms may include tremors, slow movements, and difficulties with walking, speaking, or balance.
• Can Parkinson’s be mistaken for other conditions?
  Yes, conditions like aging, depression, or medication side effects may resemble Parkinson’s. Dat-Scan imaging is useful in distinguishing between Parkinson’s and other disorders.
• Does every tremor indicate Parkinson’s?
  Not necessarily. Essential tremor, a hereditary condition, can cause similar symptoms. MRI and blood tests help exclude other disorders.
• Can broad beans help with Parkinson’s?
  Broad beans contain a substance that converts to dopamine in the body. While helpful, excessive consumption may cause involuntary movements, necessitating medical consultation.
• What are the stages of Parkinson’s?
  Parkinson’s progresses through five stages, from mild symptoms to complete dependence on caregivers. Not every patient experiences all stages in the same sequence.
• What foods should Parkinson’s patients avoid?
  A balanced diet with fiber-rich foods helps manage constipation, a common symptom. Calcium and Vitamin D are essential to prevent osteoporosis, as patients are prone to falls.
• Is incontinence associated with Parkinson’s?
  Yes, neurological conditions like Parkinson’s may impair bladder control.
• What is the success rate of DBS surgery?
  In carefully selected patients, DBS offers significant improvement, often reducing the need for medication.
• Does Parkinson’s affect memory?
  Cognitive issues typically arise in later stages. Early-stage patients generally retain their mental faculties.
• Is Parkinson’s hereditary?
  While genetics play a role, environmental factors also contribute. Not everyone with a genetic predisposition will develop the disease.
• Can Parkinson’s cause restless leg syndrome?
  Although unrelated, Parkinson’s medications may alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
• Is herbal treatment effective?
  Herbal remedies are not recommended. Medical treatment remains the most reliable approach.
• What exercises benefit Parkinson’s patients?
  Physical therapy can improve mobility, balance, and posture. Robotic rehabilitation devices, like walking robots, are available at specialized centers in Turkey to enhance recovery.

If you seek advanced treatment options, Turkey offers cutting-edge care for Parkinson’s, including drug therapy, deep brain stimulation, and robotic rehabilitation, all under the supervision of expert neurologists and surgeons.