Parkinson's disease: symptoms and different stages
Parkinson's disease is a health condition that affects the brain and nervous system, causing unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It is a progressive health condition where the symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but it can be managed with medication and surgery for an extended period of time. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brains because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. The average life span of a person with Parkinson's disease is about the same as that of a person without the condition.
Even though almost anyone is susceptible to developing Parkinson's disease, some research indicates that men are more likely than women to suffer from this condition. While most people develop the first symptom of Parkinson's disease after the age of 60, about 5–10 percent experience onset before the age of 50. Although the early onset of Parkinson's is often but not always inherited, some forms have been linked to specific alterations in genes. Parkinson's affects about 145,000 people in the UK, making it the fastest-growing brain disease in the world.
In this article, we will be discussing the various symptoms of Parkinson's disease and the different stages a patient has to go through.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
There are many symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, but the order in which they develop and their severity differ for each person. It is very unlikely that a person with Parkinson's would experience all the symptoms at once. When the brain can't make enough dopamine to control movement well, symptoms start to show. There are over 40 symptoms of Parkinson’s. However, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease mainly fall into two groups, according to the NHS UK: main symptoms and other symptoms.
Main symptoms:
The three main symptoms of Parkinson's affect physical movement:
1. Tremor: A shaking that usually starts in the hand or arm and happens more often when the limb is at rest.
2. Slowness of movement (bradykinesia): The physical movements of the person become much slower than normal, which can make everyday tasks difficult and result in a distinctive slow, shuffling walk with very small steps.
3. Muscle rigidity (rigidity): Rigidity and tension in the muscles can make it difficult to move and make facial expressions and can cause excruciating muscle cramps.
These are also called "motor symptoms" because they are problems with movement that happen when the brain can't send messages to the muscles the way it should. Doctors sometimes call these signs Parkinsonism, which makes it hard to do things like take a bath, comb your hair, walk, talk, write, or drive. They can also make it more likely that you will trip and hurt yourself.
Other symptoms:
Parkinson's disease can also cause a range of other physical and mental symptoms, which are as follows:
Physical symptoms:
1. Balance problems that can make a patient more likely to fall and injure themselves
2. Loss of sense of smell that can occur even several years before other symptoms develop
3. Nerve pain that causes unpleasant sensations such as burning, coldness, or numbness
4. Urinary incontinence, wherein a person will have a constant urge to use the bathroom or unintentionally urinate. Constipation is also another notable symptom.
5. Sexual dysfunction in women and erectile dysfunction in men
6. Swallowing difficulties, which further lead to malnutrition and dehydration
Cognitive and psychiatric symptoms:
1. Depression and anxiety
2. Mild cognitive impairment, where the person will face slight memory loss and problems with activities that require planning and organisation
3. Dementia
Parkinson's disease stages
Parkinson's disease affects different people in different ways, as not everyone will have the same symptoms at the same intensity and in the same order. The progression of Parkinson's disease has been observed to follow a distinct pattern. Broadly, this disease has five stages.
Stage 1:
During the initial stage, the person will only face mild symptoms that don't necessarily affect their daily life. Intermittent tremors and other movement-related problems might be noted on one side of the body, and even slight changes in posture, walking, and facial expressions may also occur. In fact, the changes are so mild that the person may not seek medical attention. Even if an individual consults a physician, they will be advised to see if the symptoms are getting worse in order to make a proper diagnosis.
Stage 2:
During this stage, the symptoms start to progress slightly, affecting both sides of the body. Problems with walking may become apparent; however, the individual would still be able to live independently and perform daily tasks, though with some difficulty. Some of the visible signs at this stage include:
1. Reduced degree of facial expression or intermitted facial paralysis
2. Decreased rate of blinking
3. Speech abnormalities
4. Neck and back pain due to stiffness or muscles in the truck due to stooped posture
5. Inability to speak loudly
6. General slowness in all daily activities
If the only noticeable symptoms at this stage are slowness or a lack of spontaneous movement, then the chance of diagnosis is less. There is a chance of confusion with these symptoms with advancing age. The progression from stage one to stage two can vary from one month to even years.
Stage 3:
This is the mid-stage of Parkinson's disease, wherein the symptoms become more noticeable, such as:
1. Trouble maintaining balance
2. Frequent falling
3. Slowness in movement
4. Take longer to complete daily tasks such as eating, grooming, etc.
Stage 4:
In this stage, the patient might be able to stand on their own but will require assistance to move around, such as a walker. Living alone at this stage could be dangerous for the patient. Here is where the need for a carer (a family carer or a professional care provider) becomes necessary.
Stage 5:
This is the advanced stage of Parkinson's disease, where the patient may require a wheelchair and be completely bedridden. At this stage, the person has the tendency to fall a lot, freeze while moving, hallucinate, or suffer from delusions and paranoia. Round-the-clock care and support are needed for a patient at this stage.
Nurses Group Homecare is the leading care provider in Yeovil, UK. We are progressively expanding our service throughout the UK. We support and care for people and their families who are dealing with Parkinson's disease in the UK so that the individual can live more independently in their own homes while their families can be assured they are well taken care of. If you are looking for a reliable care provider in the UK, Nurses Group Homecare is your best choice.