What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson's Disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system. It causes the patient to have tremors (uncontrollable shaking of body parts). The disease can also cause stiffness or slowness in movements as well as speech difficulties. Parkinson's Disease can be caused by genetic factors, environmental toxins, viruses, head trauma, or aging.
There is no cure for Parkinson's Disease but there are treatments that help slow down its progression such as Levodopa (a medication), deep brain stimulation (a surgical procedure) and physical therapy, among others. Today, we will explore what Parkinson's Disease is and how it affects people who suffer from it.
What are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are trembling, rigidity, slowness, and stiffness. The tremors can be in the hands or any other body parts that may move. Tremors usually occur when a person is not moving but some people experience them during movement as well.
Stiffness occurs because dopamine levels have decreased which affect communication with muscles so they don't contract normally. Slowing down movements happens due to lack of energy from reduced dopamine levels and abnormal nerve signals being sent to the brain.
Speech difficulties happen because there is an imbalance between speech related nerves called cranial nerves V and VII on one side of a patient's lower face section leading to inadequate muscle control for proper pronunciation or speaking volume.
What Should You Do if You Suspect a Loved One Has Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's Disease is a very serious condition. You can follow these tips before visiting your doctor to confirm your suspicions:
Ask friends or family members if they have noticed any changes in the person.
Evaluate their symptoms to see how severe it is.
Talk with a doctor about what you think might be going on and ask for professional advice to help your loved one get back into life as usual again.
If at any time during the day, especially when tired, there are signs that something is wrong such as shaking while still or not moving much then talk with a doctor right away because these can be early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease. It could also be stemming from another condition like Alzheimer’s so make sure you speak to your doctor before assuming.
Should You Consider Senior Living?
Senior living facilities help older and disabled people who cannot look after themselves. These communities provide amenities like transportation, meals and socialization. If you would like to know more about the benefits of senior living or if you are looking into a facility, contact us to schedule a tour of our facility.