It is the fastest growing neurological disease in the world and there is currently no cure.
However, knowledge of Parkinson’s symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and access to treatments that improve patients’ quality of life.
Around 18,000 Britons and 90,000 Americans are diagnosed each year, with charities estimating that one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed at some point in their lives.
Here, MailOnline reveals some of the warning signs of the crippling disease that’s affecting celebrities like Neil Diamond, Muhammad Ali and Billy Connolly.
Awareness of Parkinson’s symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and access to treatments that improve patients’ quality of life
Symptoms gradually get worse over time. It can lead to movement symptoms, as well as pain, depression and loss of smell, experts say
Tremble
A tremor or uncontrollable movement is one of the most recognizable signs of Parkinson’s and can be the very first symptom to appear.
It usually starts in the hand before spreading to the rest of the arm or sometimes to the foot on the same side of the body, says charity Parkinson’s UK.
Tremors are more likely to occur when the limbs are relaxed.
Although there is no cure for tremors, it can be managed with the help of a specialist or Parkinson’s nurse.
Parkinson’s is caused by the death of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra that are responsible for producing dopamine.
Dopamine is a vital neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger between the parts of the brain and nervous system that help control and coordinate body movements.
It’s a deficiency in this chemical that causes tremors and a host of other Parkinson’s symptoms.
Slow movements
Everyday tasks can take much longer when you have Parkinson’s.
This can include daily activities like paying for items in the store, putting on buttons and walking to the bus to take up more of your time, Parkinson UK says.
Slowing of movement, known medically as bradykinesia, involves walking with short, shuffling steps.
It can also lead to minor movements – e.g. B. A smile that is not as wide as normal – difficulty swallowing and chewing and a lack of coordination.
Slow movement is also caused by reduced levels of dopamine in the brain, which affects how muscles work.
muscle stiffness
Stiff muscles are another symptom of Parkinson’s that can slow you down.
Tension and a lack of flexibility in muscles can make it difficult to make facial expressions and move.
This can lead to painful muscle spasms and loss of balance.
Swinging your arms, getting out of chairs, and turning in bed can become more difficult as a result, as can breathing and speaking clearly.
Just as reduced dopamine levels can cause slow movements and tremors, it’s also thought to upset the balance between muscles, which stretch and relax with every movement, leading to rigidity and stiffness, according to Parkinson’s Europe.
loss of smell
Loss of the sense of smell is an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease.
This symptom affects 95 percent of sufferers and can appear years before other symptoms develop, says Parkinson’s UK.
However, the loss of the sense of smell can affect people in different ways, with some losing or gaining weight due to the inability to smell food, while it can affect the mood of others.
For some, it can be subtle and just dull their smell, while others have trouble smelling at all.
It can also raise safety concerns if sufferers have trouble smelling the smell of burning, for example.
Research suggests the symptoms are caused by a part of the brain known as the ‘olfactory bulb’, which is responsible for processing smells and is smaller in some people with Parkinson’s, according to Parkinson’s UK.
Studies have also found that this onion is the first part of the body to see a buildup of alpha-synuclein — a protein found in dopamine-producing cells.
In Parkinson’s patients, the proteins get tangled up and form clumps, which experts believe can spread the disease throughout the brain.
Sir Billy Connolly, 80, pictured left, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and retired from live performances in 2018. Singer Neil Diamond, 82, pictured right, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018 and has made the decision to stop touring
bladder or bowel problems
Getting up at night to go to the bathroom can plague many people as they age.
But it’s also another early sign of Parkinson’s.
Going to the bathroom more than once or twice a night — known medically as nocturia — could be a sign of the condition.
Urge incontinence, which is the need to urinate immediately and difficulty holding on, can also be a symptom.
In Parkinson’s, symptoms are due to dips and fluctuations in dopamine levels, as this can affect how the bladder muscles and nerves function.
Loss of dopamine can also disrupt the brain signals that tell the bladder to hold or expel urine, according to Parkinson’s Europe.
Constipation is also a symptom of the disease, as slowness and stiffness — telltale signs of the condition — can affect the muscles in the gut wall.
depression and anxiety
Prolonged feelings of extreme sadness can be a sign of depression.
Depression and anxiety are common in Parkinson’s patients, but why is not fully understood, according to the NHS.
In some cases, these feelings appear months before other symptoms appear.
Studies suggest that the symptoms are due to the drop in dopamine in Parkinson’s patients, which can lead to fatigue and low mood.
Parkinson’s UK says this can trigger depression, worry and anxiety.
Additionally, some patients may find that they are unable to socialize as much as they used to, leading to loneliness and isolation and increasing the risk of depression.
But the charity also points out that being diagnosed with Parkinson’s itself can be very stressful, so it’s understandable that you can experience those feelings.
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