Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
Updated on November 23, 2024
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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.

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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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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a relatively common disease among the elderly, causing significant inconveniences in their daily lives and making it difficult for them to move. Moreover, this disease progressively worsens. Overall, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease primarily include noticeable movement slowness; patients perform tasks very slowly, such as wrapping dumplings or rolling dumpling wrappers, which are done clumsily and slowly. They also dress, turn over in bed, and tie shoelaces very slowly. Additionally, there are evident symptoms such as resting tremors and muscle rigidity. Some people may experience a panicked gait, rushing forward and unable to control their steps. Patients might also experience severe constipation, a reduced sense of smell, and some have sensory abnormalities in their limbs.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What tests are done for Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Many patients report that numerous examinations did not identify a clear cause of the disease, which is typical of this condition due to the lack of very effective diagnostic methods. Patients' symptoms gradually worsen, manifesting as motor slowness, limb tremors, muscle rigidity, and other clinical signs. There are also symptoms such as constipation and dizziness. Generally, the following examinations are recommended for Parkinson's disease: First, complete a cranial MRI scan. The primary purpose of a cranial MRI is to exclude other causes of Parkinson's-like symptoms, such as cerebral thrombosis, brain tumors, or inflammation. Second, perform olfactory tests, as some patients may experience a significant reduction in their sense of smell early on. Third, conduct induced sleep monitoring, since some patients may have prominent sleep disorders. Additionally, it is suggested to perform striatal dopaminergic transporter imaging, a type of DAT scan. Although this scan is quite expensive, it can clearly reflect the function of the striatum.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.)