The fastest growing neurological condition in the world

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. The condition develops when nerve cells that are responsible for producing a chemical known as dopamine die. Dopamine allows messages to be sent to the parts of the brain that coordinate movement. With the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells, these parts of the brain are unable to work normally, causing symptoms of Parkinson's to appear.

There's currently no cure for Parkinson's, but there are lots of different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition.

Symptoms

The 3 main symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement. But you can also experience other symptoms including problems with sleep, memory and mental health.

*Problems with your sleep

Sleep and night-time problems are common in Parkinson's. People with Parkinson’s are more likely to experience insomnia due to certain symptoms which can disrupt sleep. These include tremor, stiffness, pain and restless leg syndrome. If sleep is affected, people may also feel tired and drowsy during the day.

*Losing your sense of smell

Someone with Parkinson’s may notice that their sense of smell may not be as strong as it was or has disappeared. For example, someone may struggle to smell their favourite foods. Loss of smell can sometimes start years before other symptoms develop.

*Small handwriting

Because of changes in the brain, people with Parkinson’s can find that their movements become smaller and less forceful than before. This can lead to someone’s handwriting becoming smaller than it previously was or gradually getting smaller as they write.

*Constipation and bladder problems

If you have Parkinson's, you may be more likely to have problems with your bladder or bowels. Signs of an overactive bladder, such as needing to use the toilet immediately without warning, or needing to go frequently throughout the night, are the most common bladder symptoms of people with Parkinson's.

*Depression

You may have depression if you are experiencing feelings of extreme sadness or a sense of emotional 'emptiness' for a long time. It's more than a temporary feeling of sadness, unhappiness or frustration. In some cases, people with Parkinson’s may experience depression months before they notice any other symptoms.

Depression can also be a symptom of ‘non-motor fluctuations’ – in other words, when the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can increase or fall depending on medication timing. This happens when the effects of levodopa ‘wear off’ before the next dose is due.

*Anxiety

People with Parkinson's may experience anxiety, including feelings of unease, such as worry or fear – particularly in the early stages of the condition. Any concerns that someone has about living with a long-term condition may cause anxiety.

Common symptoms of anxiety include: a sense of dread, constant worry or difficulty concentrating, sweating, pounding or racing heart (palpitations), feeling breathless, dizziness or trembling.

*Fatigue

Feelings of fatigue – tiredness that doesn’t go away however much someone rests – affect up to half of people with Parkinson’s.

You may feel quite fit and able one day and then too fatigued to do much the following day. If you’re working, for example, you may feel much more exhausted in the evenings than you used to, and you may not want to do anything else.

Fatigue in Parkinson’s is thought to be caused by chemical changes in the brain. It may also be related to other symptoms or features of the condition, such as tremor, stiffness or feelings of stress.

Mental (cognitive) fatigue can be another symptom of Parkinson’s. Some people may find it hard to concentrate for a long time without a break.

Not everyone with Parkinson's experiences the same combination of symptoms – they vary from person to person.

Also, how Parkinson's affects someone can change from day to day, and even from hour to hour. Symptoms that may be noticeable one day may not be a problem the next.

Many of the symptoms can be treated or managed with medication and therapies, with many people with Parkinson's leading active and fulfilling lives. Advanced symptoms of a long-term condition like Parkinson’s can make people more vulnerable to poor health and increased disability. These complications can sometimes result in someone dying. Complications can include aspiration pneumonia (caused by breathing in food or liquid and not being able to cough it back up), falls as well as chest infections and pneumonia. Source: parkinsons.org.uk