Parkinson's and life expectancy do not always have a direct relationship. In fact, Parkinson’s is considered to be a chronic disease, and currently, there are very effective treatments that can be used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Whether Parkinson's has an impact on life expectancy is usually an issue of great concern for those diagnosed with the disease and their loved ones.
Especially when the first symptoms begin to appear and the condition is first diagnosed.
However, life expectancy with Parkinson’s is not necessarily reduced. Especially if the patient responds well to treatments and there are no serious complications.
Currently, people with Parkinson’s can expect to live another 15 to 25 years from the time of diagnosis. This is why it can be considered a long-term or chronic condition.
Progressive stages of Parkinson’s
Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition caused by the degeneration or breakdown of cells in the nervous system.
Parkinson’s does not occur abruptly. Its onset is gradual, with symptoms being mild at first, and becoming worse over time.
For this reason, we refer to the stages of Parkinson's disease.
Because each case is different, and the passage from one stage to another will vary between individuals, it is impossible to determine what a person’s life expectancy with Parkinson’s will be.
Stage 1
In the first stage of the disease, there may be some physical symptoms, but not severe enough to affect daily activities and overall quality of life.
In fact, the early signs of Parkinson's are often overlooked or considered unimportant.
However, the patient's family and friends may notice changes in the person’s walk, facial expressions, or posture.
One characteristic early sign of Parkinson's is that hand tremor and other movement difficulties occur on only one side of the body.
Stage 2
The progression of Parkinson's disease becomes more evident at this stage, with symptoms such as tremor and stiffness becoming more noticeable.
Changes in facial expressions, posture, and motor complications (problems walking), as well as difficulty speaking, also often appear.
In contrast to Stage 1, the physical symptoms affect both sides of the body.
A person with Parkinson's may continue living alone in these early stages, although they often have difficulty carrying out some normal daily activities.
It is important to understand it can take months, or even years, to progress from Stage 1 to Stage 2 Parkinson's.
Stage 3
This is the intermediate stage of Parkinson’s and is a turning point in progression of the disease.
The motor and non-motor symptoms of Stage 2 continue, and the patient begins to suffer loss of balance and impaired reflexes.
The patient’s movements become even slower and they have an increased propensity to fall.
Overall quality of life is more noticeably affected.
Stage 4
People with Parkinson's who are in this stage can still maintain a standing position on their own. However, to walk, they will need a walker or other walking aid.
When the disease progresses to this point, the loss of independence is significant. As a result, many patients can no longer manage living on their own.
Stage 5
This is the most advanced stage of the disease. In Stage 5, a patient with Parkinson's will need a wheelchair, 24-hour assistance to prevent falls, and help getting up.
Muscle stiffness in the legs often makes it impossible for them to walk and stand on their own.
The behavior of people with Parkinson's in Stages 4 and 5 can also change. Periods of confusion, hallucinations, and delusions are common.
Dementia and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) also frequently appear among the final symptoms of Parkinson's.
In this stage, there may be other complications as well that are caused by the side effects of medication.
Parkinson’s disease and life expectancy: when are they related?
As we have seen, there is not a direct relationship between Parkinson's and life expectancy.
However, it is true that certain complications are factors that could increase mortality in the later stages of the disease. These include severe dysphagia, dementia and frequent falls resulting in broken bones and fractures.
For example, when a patient has dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), food or liquids can travel down the windpipe and into the lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia, the primary cause of death in advanced Parkinson’s.
For this reason, it is very important to ensure that the Parkinson’s patient is able to eat safely.
Dementia associated with the disease can also reduce survival, especially when it develops before the age of 70.
Finally, falls in older people also increase the risk of death. Patients with Parkinson's are prone to falls due to loss of balance and other motor complications.
Given the serious impact of this disease, it is important to convey a reassuring message.
In recent years, there have been many advances in treatment of Parkinson's and there are effective therapeutic options to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
In addition, a lot of research is underway to find treatments that slow down or even stop down the progression of the disease.
Dr. Gabriel Salazar, a neurologist specializing in Parkinson's at Instituto Clavel Institute, explains more in this article.
So how does a person with Parkinson's die?
Beyond the question of whether it shortens life expectancy, many people also wonder if Parkinson's is a fatal disease.
The reality is that, although Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, it is not considered fatal.
However, as we have seen, it is true that as the disease progresses, it can cause complications that could lead to death.
For this reason, the final stage of the disease is often referred to as terminal Parkinson’s
But it is not the disease itself that causes death. Therefore, it is not possible to generalize how a person with Parkinson's dies.
In addition, someone with Parkinson’s might die for reasons that have nothing to do with the condition.
Parkinson's and life expectancy in young people
Most people who develop Parkinson's disease are over 60 years old.
However, it can appear between the ages of 21 and 40. If so, we are talking about early-onset Parkinson's.
In this case, life expectancy is longer because the progression of the disease is much slower than in older people.
Mainly, because these patients tend to have fewer general health problems and respond better to neurological physical therapy treatments.
Instituto Clavel, specialists in treatment of Parkinson’s
At Instituto Clavel, we have a team of the best Parkinson's neurologists in Spain.
In addition to the expertise and experience of our physicians, our patients benefit from the most cutting-edge medical technology and the most advanced treatments for Parkinson's.
The key is to be able to make an early diagnosis and initiate an individualized treatment plan.
We are always available to answer any questions you may have. You just have to book an appointment with one of our specialist neurologists at our center in Barcelona or Madrid.
Dr. Gabriel Salazar Tortolero
Neurologist
Specialist in parkinson and Dyskenisia. Parkinson's surgery, deep brain stimulation and hifu. Neurorehabilitation, neuropathic pain, headaches and botulinum toxin
Categories: Brain pathologies