Subscribe
Parkinson's disease
Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease in its early stages may primarily manifest as clumsiness in limb movement, especially in fine motor skills, such as difficulty in wrapping dumplings, rolling dumpling wrappers, or slow buttoning, which are clinical signs of early symptoms. Some patients may initially experience slight trembling in the limbs, which is generally more pronounced during rest and relaxation and diminishes during activity. Additionally, some individuals with early Parkinson's disease primarily exhibit non-motor symptoms, such as constipation, depression, reduced sense of smell, and may also experience rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, characterized by shouting and physical actions like punching or kicking during sleep.
How long does the course of Parkinson's disease usually last?
The course of Parkinson's disease generally lasts for how long? Parkinson's disease, also known as shaking palsy, is a common neurodegenerative disease, and the age at onset varies. For early-onset Parkinson's disease, it generally starts around age 40 to 50, while late-onset Parkinson's disease generally starts after age 50. As age gradually increases, the course of Parkinson's disease is generally about 20 to 40 years. Once diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it is a lifelong condition. This disease is incurable, and can only be managed through medications, surgical treatments, physical rehabilitation, and psychological therapies to improve or control symptoms, but it cannot be cured. Therefore, once diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the disease is lifelong.
Can people with Parkinson's disease drink alcohol?
Patients with Parkinson's disease should not drink alcohol. This is primarily due to concerns that due to the symptoms of movement slowness and muscle rigidity, they may exhibit abnormal postural balance, greatly increasing the risk of falling. Consuming alcohol can inhibit the function of the cerebellum, exacerbating limb ataxia and increasing the risk of falling, which poses significant risks to the patient. Therefore, to protect the balance function of patients and prevent the risk of falling, they should not consume alcohol. Additionally, patients with Parkinson's disease often need to take multiple medications for their condition, and these medications should not be taken with alcohol to avoid exacerbating any adverse reactions.
Can Parkinson's disease be cured?
Firstly, it must be noted that Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease which currently cannot be cured. Although Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, there are many methods available to slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for patients. Patients must take medication regularly under the guidance of a doctor. The treatment methods for Parkinson's disease mainly include: First, patients should strengthen their functional training and engage in as much physical activity and exercise as possible, which can help in treating the disease. Second, regular medication is necessary, mainly referring to drugs used for treating Parkinson's disease. These include dopamine receptor agonists, anticholinergic drugs, and Levodopa preparations, all of which can have good effects, but these medications also have certain side effects and require regular follow-up visits at outpatient clinics. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)
What is needed to diagnose Parkinson's disease?
The definitive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease primarily relies on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and a thorough physical examination by a neurologist. If the onset of the disease is very slow, presenting with symptoms such as bradykinesia and tremors, and the neurologist observes heightened muscle tone and slow movements during the examination, a high suspicion of this disease is warranted. Additionally, certain auxiliary tests are necessary, commonly including: First, testing the patient's sense of smell is crucial, as a reduced sense of smell is very important in diagnosing Parkinson's disease. Second, some brain MRI scans are needed mainly to exclude some secondary Parkinson's syndromes. Third, a brain PET-CT scan can be performed to examine the functionality of the striatum. Furthermore, an ultrasound of the substantia nigra in the midbrain can also be conducted, which holds significant value in assisting the diagnosis.
What is good to eat for Parkinson's disease?
Patients with Parkinson's disease should pay special attention to their diet. It is recommended that the food eaten by Parkinson's patients mainly includes the following types: First, patients can eat more fresh cabbage, vegetables, celery, and fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, and tangerines, because these fruits and vegetables help supplement some vitamins. Vitamins have an antioxidant stress effect, which may play a role in preventing the further development of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, these foods can supplement water, promote gastrointestinal motility, and alleviate constipation, which is beneficial for the constipation caused by Parkinson's disease. Second, people with Parkinson's disease can eat more walnuts or black sesame seeds, as well as some other nuts, as these foods also nourish brain cells. Moreover, patients with Parkinson's disease must ensure a balanced diet that includes a variety of grains, such as rice, millet, corn, and sorghum, which are all consumable.
Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease
The early symptoms of Parkinson's disease primarily include weakness of limbs on one side, resting tremors, and bradykinesia, among others. As the disease progresses, patients will display typical Parkinson's symptoms, including a shuffling gait, reduced facial expressions, decreased sense of smell, orthostatic hypotension, anxiety and depression, cognitive decline, constipation, frequent urination, etc. Therefore, when these symptoms appear, the possibility of Parkinson's disease should be considered. Patients need to promptly visit the neurology department of a hospital for complete testing such as routine blood tests, urinalysis, MRI of the skull, and if necessary, cerebrospinal fluid analysis through lumbar puncture to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, treatment with anti-Parkinson's medication should be started as soon as possible. Commonly used medications include Levodopa, dopamine receptor agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, Vitamin B6, and more.
What department should you go to for Parkinson's disease?
Registration for Parkinson's disease should be in the Department of Neurology, as Parkinson's disease is a common disorder within neurology, so seeing a neurologist is sufficient. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease, primarily affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Although there is a genetic predisposition in some cases of Parkinson's disease, those with a family history might develop the disease in their youth, but sporadic cases generally occur in middle-aged or older individuals. Patients exhibit many motor symptoms that severely affect their quality of life, including muscle rigidity, limb tremors, and slowed movement, as well as other complications. Many neurologists are very familiar with Parkinson's disease and have seen many patients with it, possessing significant diagnostic and treatment experience. Therefore, consulting neurology is entirely appropriate.
Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease begins inconspicuously and progresses gradually. There are two main categories of symptoms in Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, one can appear normal, or may experience motor symptoms like bradykinesia or rigidity, often starting asymmetrically. Symptoms commonly begin on one side of the upper limbs, and less frequently start from the lower limbs, eventually spreading to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at various stages of Parkinson's disease, including the pre-motor phase, such as loss of smell, sleep disturbances, constipation, depression, and more.
What should be avoided in the diet for Parkinson's disease?
For patients with Parkinson's disease, we advocate comprehensive treatment and full-course management. Drug treatment is the core treatment method, while surgical treatment can supplement drug therapy. Physical rehabilitation and psychological therapy should also be conducted. What should patients with Parkinson's disease avoid eating? Generally, patients with Parkinson's disease are prone to constipation. Therefore, we should avoid consuming spicy and greasy foods that may lead to constipation, and try to eat vegetables and fruits to keep the bowel movements regular.