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CNI Movement Disorders Center
Education & Information
Facts about Parkinson’s Disease
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Parkinson's Research at CNI
The CNI Movement Disorders Center is studying new medications that may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, treat symptoms of early disease, and reduce motor fluctuations and dyskinesia in advanced patients. Learn more now.
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Definition
Parkinson’s (PD) is a progressive neurological brain disorder caused by death of cells in a certain part of the brain known as the substantia nigra that produces dopamine. Dopamine is needed to provide smooth muscle movement. Approximately 70% of dopamine is lost before outward symptoms of Parkinson’s begin.
Epidemiology
Parkinson’s is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder apart from Alzheimer's. Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 Americans will be diagnosed yearly. Parkinson’s is most common later in life, usually around age 60 and up. However, it is not uncommon for younger generations to be diagnosed with PD as well. Some people as young as 40 can be diagnosed with PD. Parkinson’s has a slow progression over 15-20 years. It is one of the few progressive neurologic disorders in which symptoms can be alleviated for many years with medications. There is no cure for Parkinson’s at this time.
Causes
The cause of Parkinson’s is still being investigated but some theories may suggest the following:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Environmental toxins such as;
Pesticides
Rural living
Well Water
- Viral Infections
Symptoms
Please be aware that symptoms may vary for each person.
- Tremor
This can occur in your hands, fingers, limbs, feet, mouth or chin. Typically tremor is most prominent at a resting phase.
- Rigidity
This can cause muscle aches & pain for some people. You may have trouble bending an arm or a leg. Typically when initial symptoms of PD present one side of the body appears to be affected. You may have loss of arm swing or may feel like one leg drags. There may also be reduced ability to show facial expressions such as a “mask” like appearance to the face, staring, reduced rate of blinking and your mouth may stay open involuntarily.
- Bradykinesia
Slowness of voluntary movements. There may be difficulty producing and completing movement. You may notice difficulty initiating walking or difficulty getting up from a chair.
- Impaired balance
Typically this occurs later in the disease process. Your gait pattern may change. This appears as a distinctive unsteady walk. There is a tendency to lean forward or backward and to develop a stooped, head down, shoulders drooped stance. You may have frequent falls due to loss of balance, shuffling walk, small steps followed by the urge to run, or inability to initiate a step.
- Loss of fine motor skills
Initially you may notice your handwriting becomes smaller and harder to read.
You may experience a harder time manipulating fine motor skills such as controlling computer keys or the mouse.
- Cognitive changes
You may notice a decline in short term memory. You may experience a harder time multi-tasking and have trouble shifting thoughts from one to another. Overall a general decline in intellectual function.
- Depression & anxiety
You may feel disinterested in daily activities. Find no pleasure in the things that use to bring you happiness. You may feel like you don’t want to go out anymore or spend time with your friends & family. You may feel anxious due to your physical changes.
- Speech
You may notice that your voice is softer with a lower volume. You may have difficulty pronouncing words or have a monotone voice. People may ask you to repeat yourself often.
- Sleep problems
You may have a harder time falling asleep or staying asleep. You may experience vivid dreams that feel like reality, which may result in kicking out or talking in your sleep as you act out your dream.
- Increasing problems with constipation
You may also experience bladder problems such as: urgency, frequency and incontinence.
Treatment
There are a variety of different medications that may be prescribed to help control your symptoms. Deep Brain Stimulation is another form of treatment for Parkinson’s. This is not a cure for Parkinson’s but may help alleviate tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and gait disturbances.
Therapy
For patients with Parkinson's disease, exercise can be critical to enjoying greater quality life as well as many other benefits. Please click here for tips on exercise, provided by the CNI NeuroHealth Center.
Facts About Parkinson's Disease
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