Parkinson’s Disease: How Daily-life is Effected

Written By Brain 2 Heart

Parkinson's disease, best known for uncontrolled movements such as tremors, is a brain disorder that affects more than 10 million people worldwide.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating some bodily functions such as movement and memory. The reduction of dopamine occurs when nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls movement die. Due to this reduction Parkinson's is born.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, "Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with PD each year" and "This number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.”

Although Parkinson's is best known for its physical effects such as slow movements, stiffness, involuntary shaking, inflexible muscles, unstable posture and gait, the disease also affects the mind, causing dangerous problems such as depression, anxiety, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, memory and attention problems, anosmia, sleep disturbances, stress and difficulty planning and performing tasks.

Being a neurodegenerative disease, its effects occur slowly over time as nerve cells lose their functions and finally die. The primary risk factor for PD is age, increasing in 65+ age, which turns this entire process even more painful.

Psychological problems often plague the lives of those dealing with Parkinson's. Therefore, it is important to carefully choose the words you want to use when talking to PD patients, in other words, to avoid unnecessary comments. 

Rather than talking about Parkinson's, especially if they are your family and/or friends, talk about life, the news, relationship problems, and more. Make them feel comfortable and remind them that Parkinson's doesn't change who they are. 

Be comprehensive, the effects of PD on the body are there and it is not easy to deal with, so be patient and try to help indirectly. 

As a PD consequence, PD patients have trouble expressing their feelings because of a reduced ability to make facial expressions (Facial Masking). This lack of expression doesn't mean they don't hear you or that they are not enjoying the conversation, it's just hard! 

Keep in mind that PD patients face emotional issues all the time and it is normal if sometimes you can't help. In addition, try to get involved in daily tasks and physical activities that they love most. Can be hard to keep motivation to do anything while living with Parkinson’s, so you can be this motivation.

New therapies to treat PD involving THC, CBD, and UDCA are being deeply studied. Prospective research involving other brain disorders such as ASD has advanced in the last few months, being widely discussed in the scientific environment and bringing hope for a promising future. 

The newspaper Parkinson's UK asserts "We're pushing to deliver new treatments for Parkinson's in years, not decades. And we're determined to develop a cure in the shortest possible time."

Written by Yasmin Leal

Sources:

Brain 2 Heart
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