Is Parkinson's disease progressing quickly?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on April 06, 2025
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Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that has a very concealed onset and progresses very slowly, making the progression of this disease not rapid. Patients can generally take care of themselves for about three to five years, or even five to ten years, without having to worry too much about this disease. This disease primarily causes patients to experience obvious bradykinesia, mask-like faces, drooling, resting tremors, and increased muscle tone among other clinical manifestations, which can significantly distress patients. However, the progression of this disease is relatively slow, and the signs and symptoms on the left and right sides of the body are also asymmetric. After effective pharmacological treatments, such as commonly used levodopa and dopamine receptor agonists, patients' symptoms can usually be well controlled and the progression is slow. If the disease progresses very quickly, it could potentially be Parkinsonian syndrome.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is Parkinson's disease dangerous?

Parkinson's disease is a chronic condition and a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system. The main symptoms include slowed movements, increased muscle tone, resting tremors, and abnormal posture and gait. The onset of the disease is slow and subtly worsens over time. Although not highly dangerous in itself and not directly life-threatening, Parkinson’s disease currently lacks a cure, and the condition gradually worsens. Generally, within about 10 to 20 years, patients may experience significant balance impairments. The main risks involve instability while walking, which can lead to falls and potentially cause fractures and other complications. In later stages, patients often become bedridden, leading to possible complications such as pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, bedsores, and malnutrition. Therefore, Parkinson's disease is relatively mild, manageable in the early stages, but requires careful attention in later stages to prevent complications and avoid unnecessary harm.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How does one get Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. The actual mechanism of the disease is not very clear, and its fundamental cause has not yet been identified. It is generally believed that Parkinson's disease is mainly caused by the following factors. First, genetic factors. Some cases of Parkinson's disease have a clear familial tendency, where patients may experience mutations in synaptic nuclear protein genes, leading to abnormal aggregation of these proteins. This abnormal aggregation can damage the neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, leading to Parkinson's disease. Second, there are some external factors related to sporadic cases of Parkinson's. These may be closely related to oxidative stress, trauma, poisoning, or an excessive stress response of the body. However, the specific cause is not very clear. Parkinson's disease, which causes symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremors, and rigidity, requires active treatment to improve the quality of life of the patients.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease

The early symptoms of Parkinson's disease are divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. The onset of Parkinson's disease is relatively concealed and progresses gradually. The initial symptoms can be tremors, bradykinesia, or rigidity, occurring asymmetrically. It often starts in one upper limb and can initially appear in the lower limbs in a few cases, gradually extending to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at any stage of Parkinson's disease, including before motor symptoms arise, such as loss of smell, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, constipation, and depression. These are often precursory symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but such non-motor symptoms can also appear in other diseases, which can make them difficult to clearly distinguish.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How long can someone with Parkinson's disease live?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. It has a slow and inconspicuous onset, and it progresses gradually. The disease itself does not affect the patient's lifespan, as it does not impact the functions of heartbeats or breathing. If treated properly, cared for promptly, medications are taken as prescribed by the doctor, and followed up long-term, patients can survive about twenty years without problems. However, if patients adjust their medications on their own, stop taking their medications without consultation, or receive improper care from family members leading to accidental injuries or complications such as lung infections, then their lifespan can be significantly shortened. Once bedridden, life expectancy may rapidly decline. Therefore, with proper treatment and care, patients with Parkinson's disease can survive for about ten to twenty years. If care and treatment are not managed properly, patients may be threatened by fractures or lung infections, potentially reducing their lifespan to about five to ten years.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Where to treat Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a very common neurodegenerative disease in neurology. Therefore, if Parkinson's disease is suspected, treatment can be sought in the neurology department, which is available in most hospitals. Many neurologists have extensive experience in treating Parkinson's disease. The treatment primarily includes medication and surgery. Medication therapy mainly refers to the administration of anticholinergic drugs or dopamine receptor agonists, as well as preparations of Levodopa. These medications can help improve symptoms, such as reducing muscle rigidity and tremors. Surgical treatment mainly refers to deep brain stimulation, which is suitable for patients who have been clearly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for over five years and whose primary symptom is tremor, without significant dementia.