WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

Parkinson’s disease was first described as “shaking palsy” by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817. Parkinson’s disease was initially named “shaking palsy” due to its main characterizing symptoms which are slowed movement, tremors, gait or balance problems, and stiffness of the limbs and body. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the neurons that produce dopamine in an area of the brain known as the substantia nigra. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends messages to the brain to control body movement. The cause of PD is currently unknown, however, theories of causes of PD include genetic factors and environmental factors. Patterns of age, gender and race have been observed, but are not completely understood.

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RISK FACTORS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

• SEX

A higher incidence of PD has been observed in male patients. 

• AGE

Incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age and is commonly seen in patients over the age of 60. Around 4% of Parkinson’s disease incidences occur in patients 40 years and younger.

• HEREDITY

The chance of inheriting PD increases if one has a close family member with the disease or multiple family members with PD.

• ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Increased exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides increases the risk of PD. The environmental toxins may act as neurotoxins and break down dopamine-associated neurons.

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FIVE STAGES OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

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This scale was created by Dr. Margaret Hoehn and Dr. Melvin Yahr. It is an arbitrary scale that rates the severity of Parkinson's disease in a patient. 

​Stage I

This stage is not diagnosed very often as its characterizing symptoms are often missed. This stage is characterized by unilateral involvement only, usually with minimal or no functional impairment. The patient experiences tremors, slowness, and poor condition in the arm or leg on one side of the body.

Stage II

This stage is characterized by bilateral or midline involvement, without impairment of balance. The patient experiences tremors, slowness, and poor condition in the arm or leg on both sides of the body. 

Stage III

Diagnosis is mostly caught in this stage. The patient experiences a loss of balance and the inability to perform rapid, involuntary movements to maintain balance. This stage is characterized by instability of the patient with the feet together and eyes closed. In spite of this, the patient is able to live a normal, independent life. 

Stage IV

This stage is characterized as a fully developed, severely disabling disease. The patient is still able to walk around and stand unassisted but, they are not able to live alone and carry out their normal daily activities.

Stage V

This stage is characterized by the confinement of a patient to a bed or wheelchair unless they are aided. The patient may not be able to get out of a chair or bed without help or stand or turn without falling. 

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Approximately 7 million to 10 million people are living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide. To manage PD, patients are encouraged to exercise regularly and engage in daily activities, visit a speech and language pathologist, maintain a balanced diet including foods high in antioxidants and vitamins, take medication that treat motor symptoms, or have a surgical procedure known as Deep Brain Stimulation to reduce the “on-off” motor fluctuations.