Index
- Understanding Parkinson's disease, what to remember
- Parkinson's disease, what are we talking about?
- Who are most affected by this disease?
- How does this disease manifest itself?
- A dopamine imbalance involved?
- What about risk factors?
- How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?
- What treatments for this pathology?
Understanding Parkinson's disease, what to remember
One of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease particularly affects the elderly. As soon as the diagnosis is made, not only the patient's life, but also that of those around him or her is turned upside down. The assimilation of this change is not always easy for both parties concerned. However, a good understanding of the disease, its causes and symptoms makes it easier to live with it. That is why the following paragraphs will help you to better understand Parkinson's disease in a few questions.
Parkinson's disease, what are we talking about?
In order to understand Parkinson's disease, we need to go back to its definition. In fact, it is a disease that affects the nervous system. Discovered in 1817, the true cause of this disease is not yet known. In any case, scientists now know that it is characterized by slow death and the disappearance of certain neurons. The area of the brain most affected is the area responsible for controlling movement. This causes the many symptoms that are very characteristic of the disease.
Who are most affected by this disease?
Although older people are at the highest risk of developing Parkinson's disease, they are not alone. In fact, Parkinson's is not a disease that only affects older people. Nevertheless, the average age of patients is 59 in France. Also, it is quite rare (1 case out of 10) that this pathology occurs before the age of 40. Still speaking of statistics, 1% of people over 60 years old are concerned by this disease.
In addition to this, men are more affected than women. And a person with a relative with this disease is more likely to suffer from it.
How does this disease manifest itself?
This neurodegenerative disease is first and foremost a progressive disease. As such, its symptoms do not occur at the same time but increase over time. Parkinson's disease evolves in several stages. And among the symptoms that characterize this pathology, the following motor symptoms are the most notable:
- Slow movement or bradykinesia. This sign affects about 88% of patients
- Loss of automatic movements
- Hypertonia or rigidity of movements usually accompanied by stiffness in the limbs
- Tremors, even when the person concerned is at rest
Apart from these signs, other non-motor symptoms also exist. They vary from person to person. These signs are: sleep disorders, excessive drowsiness, constipation, hypersalivation, urgent and frequent need to urinate, cognitive disorders, hallucinations and depression. The patient may also be subject to loss of smell and balance.
A dopamine imbalance involved?
Although researchers have so far been unable to find the true cause of Parkinson's disease, it is clear that dopamine is at the heart of the disease. Specifically, the imbalance of dopamine caused by the death of the neurons responsible for producing it is at the root of the disorders caused by this disease. Indeed, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls movement. It also acts by allowing the body to experience desire and pleasure.
What about risk factors?
Apart from a lack of dopamine, various other factors can also contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. Here are a few of them:
- Prolonged or early exposure to pesticides and chemical pollutants
- Manganese or carbon monoxide poisoning
- The MPTP. It is a drug that can sometimes contaminate heroin
- The occurrence of a head injury
- A diet low in antioxidants
- Some infections such as mumps, rubella or chickenpox
Depression is also an aggravating factor in Parkinson's disease.
How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?
Diagnosing Parkinson's disease is not easy. Indeed, the warning signs of the disease are generally imprecise and can make you think of other diseases. Moreover, in the majority of cases, the patient and his entourage do not think to interpret all the symptoms together, but they take them in isolation. However, when the patient consults his attending physician, it is up to the latter to refer him to a neurologist. It is the neurologist who, through various tests, identifies Parkinson's disease.
It should be noted that the diagnosis of this pathology may take a few weeks or even months to be confirmed.
What treatments for this pathology?
Even though medicine continues to progress, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. The treatments available aim to relieve and correct the symptoms of the disease in order to reduce their effects on the daily life of the patient and his or her family and friends. The treatments currently available are :
- Drug treatments: these are mainly treatments to compensate for the lack of dopamine. For more than three decades, L-Dopa has been the most effective drug to relieve and minimize the effects of neuronal losses.
- Non-medicinal treatments: these are mainly physiotherapy. The aim is to maintain muscles and joints.
- Surgery: For some patients, surgery is required to stimulate areas of the brain affected by the disease.
