Is Parkinson's disease scary?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Parkinson's disease is not a terrifying disease, as its onset is relatively hidden and slow, with gradual progression. Many patients can significantly improve their symptoms, prolong their lives, and enhance their quality of life through rehabilitation training and medication. However, there is no effective cure for Parkinson's disease at this time; current treatments only relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients with Parkinson's should not be afraid and must regularly visit neurology outpatient clinics for follow-up. Neurologists will provide appropriate medications for Parkinson’s and guide the daily life of patients. Moreover, patients must prevent falls. Parkinson's is not a terrifying disease; what is dangerous is arbitrarily stopping or reducing medication without listening to the doctor's advice. (Note: This answer is for reference only, medication should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and medications should not be taken blindly.)

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Written by Zhou Yan
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Methods of Diagnosing Parkinson's Disease

In the auxiliary examinations for Parkinson's disease, routine laboratory tests as well as CT and MRI scans of the head generally show no specific changes. However, in molecular imaging, PET CT can reveal a significant decrease in striatal dopamine transporter. For olfactory tests, over 80% of Parkinson's patients exhibit olfactory dysfunction. Doppler ultrasound can also detect a significant enhancement of the substantia nigra signal. Despite these advancements in auxiliary examinations, diagnosis in patients with Parkinson's disease still primarily relies on clinical evaluation. According to the 2015 criteria, the diagnostic standards are still based on clinical diagnosis, which includes two main points: first, bradykinesia, where voluntary movements are slow and the speed and amplitude of repetitive movements progressively decrease; second, at least one of the following two manifestations must be present: muscular rigidity or resting tremor.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to medicate for the rigidity in Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease presents with rigidity, mainly due to increased muscle tone and muscle rigidity, which is a very important clinical manifestation of Parkinson's disease. The medications used for rigidity in Parkinson's disease mainly include the following types. The first type is dopamine receptor agonists, which can improve limb muscle rigidity to some extent and delay the progression of the disease. The second type of medication is levodopa preparations, which are currently the gold standard for treating Parkinson's disease. Many patients experience significant clinical improvement after taking the medication. The third type of medication includes some anticholinergic drugs. These drugs are particularly effective against tremors and also have some effect in improving rigidity. Medication for Parkinson's disease must be taken under the guidance of a doctor. It is also important to note that levodopa preparations should be taken on an empty stomach or two hours after a meal for better efficacy.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.