Parkinson's disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition that causes parts of the brain to deteriorate. It is mostly known to cause speech difficulties, tremors, and lack of balance. In this article we discuss the various stages of Parkinson's.
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disease caused by the degeneration or breakdown of cells of the nervous system. It is progressive in nature, starting with mild symptoms and worsening over time.
The causes of Parkinson's are unknown, although there are some factors that make it more likely to appear. There are brain cells located in the substantia nigra in the brainstem which are responsible for generating dopamine, a neurotransmitter that modulates the basal ganglia system and controls movement. When these dopaminergic neurons do not produce adequate levels of dopamine, the most common symptoms of the disease appear.
The risk of developing this disease increases naturally with age, with the average age of onset being about 60 years old. Parkinson's is more common in men than in women and, although it is usually related to age, it can appear in adults as early as their twenties. These cases are rare and often occur in families where a parent or sibling has the same condition.
Parkinson's is a very common disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. It is also the motor brain disease that the greatest number of people; at least 1% of the population over age 60 worldwide.
Early symptoms of Parkinson
The symptoms of Parkinson's can be confused with those of other pathologies, so when symptoms appear, it is always advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause. The symptoms appear gradually, and at the beginning they are usually mild, and may go unnoticed. The first symptoms of Parkinson's are usually:
- Tremor. This involuntary, quivering movement is the most common and early sign of the disease. It usually begins in the fingers or hands, even at when they are at rest. It can also affect other parts of the body such as the legs, lips, or chin.
- Changes in handwriting. Writing becomes more difficult and the handwriting becomes smaller.
- Changes in speech. The tone of speech becomes monotonous and the voice is softer. Hesitant speech or faster speech can also occur with Parkinson's.
- Loss of facial expression, or lack of blinking.
- Changes in posture. Both body posture and balance can be affected.
As the disease progresses, the other most commonly occurring symptoms are: dementia, problems sleeping, movement difficulty, problems eating and swallowing, urinary incontinence and constipation, and loss of sense of smell.
Parkinson's is also accompanied by a multitude of non-motor symptoms, which can be even more disabling than motor symptoms, and it is important to pay attention to them.
Learn more about the symptoms of Parkinson's, how it is diagnosed, and the main treatments in the following article:
Stages of Parkinson’s
Parkinson's disease can take years, even decades, to cause serious effects. The stages of Parkinson's serve as the main tool by which health professionals classify the disease, although each patient is affected in a different way and must be treated accordingly to their condition.
The five stages that help doctors assess how far the disease has progressed are:
- Stage 1. This is the mildest form of Parkinson's. There may be symptoms, but not severe enough to affect daily activities and overall quality of life. They are often overlooked because they are minimal, but the patient's family and friends may notice changes in the person’s walk, facial expressions, or posture. A distinctive sign of Stage 1 Parkinson's is that tremors and other movement difficulties only occur on one side of the body.
- Stage 2. This is considered a moderate form of Parkinson's, although the symptoms are already more noticeable than in Stage 1. Symptoms such as tremors and stiffness are more noticeable and there may be changes in facial expressions, as well as problems with walking and changes in body posture. In this stage, the patient has trouble speaking, and symptoms affect both sides of the body.
Most people with Stage 2 Parkinson's can still live alone, although some tasks may be difficult for them, especially because they take longer to perform due to mobility problems. Progression from Stage 1 to Stage 2 can take months or even years, and there is no way to know the timeline for each patient's individual progression.
- Stage 3. This is the intermediate stage of Parkinson’s and is a turning point in the disease progression. Many of the symptoms are the same as Stage 2, but with loss of balance and decreased reflexes. In addition, movements slow down even more, and the patient becomes more likely to fall. Daily tasks become more difficult, and at this point, treatment with medication is combined with occupational therapy to help reduce the symptoms.
- Stage 4. The main difference between Stage 3 and Stage 4, is that by Stage 4 the patient can no longer be completely independent. They will be able to stand up without help, but they will need a walker or some other walking aid to get around. Many people cannot live alone in this stage because of movement difficulties and slowed reaction times. Some tasks of daily living will be impossible to perform and can be dangerous.
- Stage 5. This is the most advanced stage of Parkinson's: the patient will need a wheelchair, 24-hour assistance to prevent falls, and help getting up. Muscle stiffness in the legs can make it impossible to walk or stand.
Up to 50% of Stage 4 and 5 Parkinson's sufferers experience confusion, hallucinations, and delusions. Dementia is also common, and the side effects of medications in these later stages can often outweigh the benefits.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, many of the symptoms can be treated so that the patient's quality of life improves. In recent years, advances in medicine and technology have led to the emergence of new therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's. Dr. Salazar, neurologist at Instituto Clavel, talks about these treatments in this article for “Oksalud”:
Therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s
Please remember, that Instituto Clavel is always available to answer your questions. If you need personalized attention, do not hesitate to contact us.
Categories: Prevention, Brain treatments, Brain pathologies