Index
- Parkinson's disease: the warning signs
- What exactly is Parkinson's disease?
- Who are most affected by this disease?
- What are its causes?
- What are the main warning signs of Parkinson's disease?
- Other psychological and physiological symptoms
Parkinson's disease: the warning signs
Currently, no less than 200,000 people in France have Parkinson's disease. It is a disease that mainly affects seniors. Discovered in 1817, this pathology can have a major impact on the lives of those affected. However, the diagnosis generally falls almost ten years after the beginning of the disease, which is quite late for a better management of the patient. However, there are some warning signs of Parkinson's disease that you can watch for so that you can take appropriate action.
What exactly is Parkinson's disease?
Even though Parkinson's disease was discovered a long time ago, it is far from having revealed all its secrets. Parkinson's disease is a disease of the nervous system, the true cause of which is still unknown. It is characterized by the disappearance of certain nerve cells whose role is to secrete dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for the functioning of various areas of the brain. Dopamine is also essential for cell survival.
Who are most affected by this disease?
Parkinson's disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 65. This gives an average age of 58 years. However, it can very much affect younger people, contrary to popular belief that it is a disease of the elderly. Moreover, in 10% of cases, the disease affects people under 45 years of age. This proves that Parkinson's disease is not a disease of the elderly.
What are its causes?
Although the true cause of Parkinson's disease is still undetermined, scientists are pointing to several possible causes of Parkinson's disease. Indeed, it has been observed that in 10 to 15% of cases, genetic causes are mentioned. In other cases, environmental risk factors are involved. Details of these two main causes are given below:
- Genetic predisposition - this cause mainly concerns patients under the age of 45
- Environmental risk factors - these are mainly toxic products such as pesticides or heavy metals present in the patient's immediate environment. For example, among farmers, the use of pesticides is a significant cause of the disease
In addition, exposure to toxic products, combined with genetic fragility, aggravates the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and increases the risk of developing it.
What are the main warning signs of Parkinson's disease?
Even though the majority of Parkinson's disease cases are not detected until 10 years after the onset of the disease, there are some signs that can give you a heads-up. In fact, there are various warning signs of Parkinson's disease that you can recognize very well if you pay attention. These are signs that appear even before the first typical symptoms of the disease.
- Fatigue - even before the diagnosis is made and symptoms such as tremors appear, the person with Parkinson's disease becomes easily tired.
- Difficulty concentrating - fatigability can then be accompanied by difficulty concentrating, whatever the task given to the person concerned. This results in a drop in yield.
- Depression - this can also be a warning sign of possible Parkinson's disease. In fact, a quarter of people with Parkinson's disease are depressed. Doctors call it an inaugural depression because at this stage it cannot yet be determined whether the person has the disease. This type of depression is different from secondary depression.
And what are the typical symptoms of this disorder?
Once the disease is symptomatic, a variety of signs may appear that allow doctors to make a diagnosis. The onset of these symptoms is progressive. At the very beginning, the sick person may feel intense fatigue. Then, the following symptoms may occur one by one:
- Tremors that persist even if the body is at rest. They mainly concern the arms and hand
- Unusual slowness in gestures
- Stiffness that is accompanied by pain in the neck, joints and spine
- Clumsiness
This difficulty in performing certain movements is called bradykinesia. And at this stage, patients tend to consult a rheumatologist or general practitioner. In addition, Parkinson's disease does not begin until many years after the first symptoms appear..
Other psychological and physiological symptoms
Apart from the first symptoms mentioned above, other signs also occur that confirm the doctor's diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. These signs are physiological and psychological.
- Physiological signs - these are mainly constipation caused by slower gastric mobility. The patient may also experience nausea and diarrhea. A drop in blood pressure is also present as well as excessive salivation and difficulty swallowing. The patient may also have trouble sleeping and a loss of sense of smell.
- Psychological signs - the person with Parkinson's disease becomes depressed. They also become apathetic and lose interest in Episodes of memory loss and confusion may also occur.
