Parkinson affects a part of the mid part of the brain (substantia nigra) that helps in muscle movement for example in walking and can occur at any age, but the chances increases as one gets older.
It occurs when nerve cells in the brain does not produce enough of the chemical dopamine (due to damage, death or malfunction) which helps with other chemicals to control muscle movement.
Symptoms occur slowly and gradually.
The progression of the condition can also vary to mild symptoms to points where one cannot do everyday tasks.
Early symptoms may include:
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD)
Vivid dreaming with physical movements such as shouting punching or kicking during sleep often affecting the sleep partner.
Constipation particularly if persistent and unexplained
Loss of smell i.e. strong odours coffee, bananas and/or pickles
Depressed mood
Tiredness and/or lack of motivation
Family history of Parkinson’s
Microphagia – smaller, cramped handwriting along with maybe monotone voice, reduced arm swing when walking – early signs of extrapyramidal dysfunction.
Paraquat (methyl viologen) is a highly toxic, fast-acting, non-selective herbicide used globally for weed control.
Toxins i.e. Trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride
Ultra-processed food intake i.e. pre-prepared meals, sausages, nuggets, pre-prepared chips, plant-based meat and cheese substitutes as well as sweets, biscuits, pastries, buns and cakes
The following maybe be caused by infection, dehydration, constipation, electrolyte disturbances and/or Parkinson medication.
Psychoisis and/or confusion
Delirium – (Medical Emergency)
Problem with attention (This could mean the person is inattentive and does not focus or that he or she can focus on tasks but at the expense of all else — failure to shift attention.)
Disorganised thinking (such as not being able to remember things or being confused)
Altered level of consciousness (hyper-alertness and on edge, or sluggish, drowsy or withdrawn)
Change is sudden and/or does it fluctuate over hours or days
Gaucher disease – a genetic disease caused by a defect in the GBA gene which helps to produce an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase, these enzymes helps our body cells to clean up and dispose of a fatty substance in the body called glucocerebroside that the body is otherwise unable to break down. If our body cells has too much of fatty substance the cells are called ‘Gaucher cells’ and begin to build up take over normal body cells functions causing symptoms.
Parkinson medication: This can lead to worsening of restless leg symptoms that occurs after starting a dopaminergic medication to treat restless leg (Augmentation).
It can take normally month to years to develop – always use the most lowest effective (dopamine agonist or long-acting dopamine agonists) dose for treatment and/or consider regular trials of dose reduction or frequent drug holidays.
Treatment with dopamine agonists has a well-established association with impulse control disorders, including pathological gambling, binge eating, and hypersexuality.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Parkinson’s Disease in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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