Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

Parkinson's disease is a relatively common degenerative disease in the elderly, primarily causing the death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, leading to corresponding clinical manifestations. Research has confirmed that other systems may also be damaged in the early stages of Parkinson's disease symptoms. The early symptoms may primarily include: First, patients experience persistent constipation, which is a very important early symptom of Parkinson's disease. Second, some patients may experience sleep disturbances, mainly characterized by tossing and turning, shouting out loud during sleep, without being aware of it. Additionally, some patients in the early stages may also experience a reduced sense of smell, constipation, cognitive impairment, and other clinical manifestations. There are also some early motor symptoms, mainly that the patient becomes clumsy and inflexible in the movements of one side of the body. These are the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What to do about constipation in Parkinson's disease?

Among Parkinson's disease patients, constipation is a very common clinical symptom. In fact, many patients have experienced constipation for many years before the onset of Parkinson's disease symptoms, mainly due to the impact on some autonomic nerves in the intestines. For Parkinson's patients experiencing constipation, the main suggestions are: First, be sure to drink plenty of water. Drinking enough water can sufficiently lubricate the intestines and facilitate smoother bowel movements. Second, be sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamin C and can promote gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, it is recommended for patients to eat more bananas, as bananas have an evident laxative effect. Also, eat less of certain foods that can dry out the stool, such as sweet potatoes and chestnuts. If necessary, patients can be given laxative medications, and if bowel movements are extremely difficult, enemas can also be administered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
50sec home-news-image

Late-stage symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressively worsening neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system, initially manifesting as bradykinesia, resting tremor, and other symptoms. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become increasingly severe. In the later stages, symptoms may include significant postural and gait abnormalities, such as obvious stooping and difficulty starting to walk, a phenomenon known as freezing, and turning around can also be difficult. Additionally, in the late stages, swallowing dysfunction may occur, leading to clinical signs such as coughing while drinking water and articulation disorders. Furthermore, individuals with Parkinson's disease are particularly prone to falling in the later stages due to impaired balance functions.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min home-news-image

What department should Parkinson's disease go to?

Parkinson's disease is classified as a neurological disorder, so once considered for Parkinson's disease, registration is naturally in the department of neurology. Many neurologists are very familiar with Parkinson's disease and also have rich experience in diagnosis and treatment. Especially some neurology experts who specialize in Parkinson's disease have their own unique views on the pathogenesis, etiology, and clinical manifestations of the disease. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological condition primarily divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms, severely impacting the quality of life and work of patients. Symptoms include bradykinesia, resting tremor, muscle rigidity, etc. Treatment involves anticholinergic drugs and dopamine receptor agonists. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 1sec home-news-image

What department to see for Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a very common degenerative neurological disorder in neurology, so if you go for treatment, you should definitely see a neurologist. Many neurologists have a high level of expertise in Parkinson's disease and have extensive experience in its diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment. Patients with Parkinson's disease generally exhibit significant motor slowness, such as dressing, buttoning, wrapping dumplings, and eating very slowly, and they also walk very slowly. In addition, they may also display obvious resting tremors, muscle rigidity, general fatigue, unstable walking posture, and other clinical manifestations. Moreover, they might experience some constipation, anxiety, depression, and reduced sense of smell among other related clinical symptoms. Therefore, for this disease, visiting a neurologist is sufficient, and you can definitely expect a very satisfactory diagnosis and treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

Can Parkinson's patients drink alcohol?

It is recommended that patients with Parkinson's disease avoid drinking alcohol. This is because the condition in Parkinson's patients is caused by the death of certain neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. It is well-known that alcohol has a direct damaging effect on neurons. Therefore, drinking alcohol could potentially worsen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and it is advised not to drink alcohol. Additionally, patients with Parkinson's disease are prone to panic and unstable gait. If alcohol consumption affects the function of the cerebellum, it will exacerbate the patient's instability in walking, making them very prone to falls and potentially causing complications such as fractures. Furthermore, drinking alcohol can lead to orthostatic hypotension, which is a lower blood pressure when standing up. Parkinson's disease itself can also cause this type of orthostatic hypotension, and the combination of the two can cause a significant drop in blood pressure in patients, posing a risk when standing.