Parkinson's disease is a degenerative nerve disease. It mainly affects older people, but can also occur in younger people. Parkinson's disease is accompanied by mental and physical limitations as it progresses. However, if treated correctly, a largely normal life is possible for a long time. Parkinson's is one of the most common neurological diseases.
Here you will find further information as well as selected Parkinson's specialists and centers.
Parkinson's disease was first described by James Parkinson in 1817. Since then, it has been known that there can be different courses of Parkinson's disease with different symptoms. A distinction is made between
Parkinson's disease mostly affects older people. Around two percent of people over the age of 65 suffer from this disease. However, Parkinson's can also occur in people under 50 or younger.
A famous example of this is the actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 30. Cassius Clay, alias Muhammad Ali, also suffered from Parkinson's disease and was one of the best-known sufferers. The disease became known to the general public through celebrities.
Parkinson's disease can
Nevertheless, there are key symptoms that can be attributed to the disease. The so-called Parkinson's triad describes the symptoms
In addition to these main symptoms, there may be other movement impairments, such as
Degenerative changes to the psyche also occur in addition to the movement restrictions. Many sufferers have concentration problems or dementia. Parkinson's patients can also
suffer.
These symptoms may or may not all occur together.
A neurologist assesses the symptoms using the UPDRS, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. With this scale, the expert can
correctly. Only with a correct and careful diagnosis can the disease be treated correctly and effectively.
Without correct treatment, Parkinson's sufferers have difficulty coping with everyday life © weyo | AdobeStock
Alongside the Parkinson's triad, the onset of dementia is one of the most feared symptoms of Parkinson's disease. For the patient, knowing what to expect is very stressful. The loss of mental capacity and the restriction of mobility are very frightening for many patients. Both mean that they can no longer lead a self-determined life.
But relatives also learn to deal with the mental and physical changes in the person affected.
A pathological cause of Parkinson's can often be detected in the brain after the death of the person affected. However, research has still not been able to clarify what actually triggers these changes.
The cause of Parkinson's could be the so-called Lewy bodies. These are deposits in cells of the brain that are responsible for dopamine production. Due to these deposits, the nerve cells slowly die and dopamine can no longer be produced. This lack of dopamine leads to a decrease in the activating effect of the basal ganglia on the cerebral cortex.
The deposits are caused by misfolded proteins that cannot be transported correctly from the inside of the cell.
The impairment of movement in particular can be treated well with medication. To do this, the neurologist prescribes medication to the patient to replace the dopamine that is no longer produced or is produced too little. This can largely eliminate the movement disorder.
This medication must be taken regularly and at certain times of the day. This is the only way to achieve the desired effect.
In patients with the Parkinson's triad, who suffer from
correctly adjusted medication can almost completely eliminate the symptoms.
Physiotherapy or physiotherapy, for example, can also improve the restricted movements. In any case, it is important that any treatment is supervised by an experienced neurologist. They will monitor the progression of the disease and intervene if necessary.
Parkinson's is still incurable and the progression of the disease in old age is still unstoppable. However, with the right medication and accompanying therapy, the progression can be positively influenced. The patient can then live well with the disease.
Neurologists are the right people to contact if Parkinson's is suspected. Specialists in neurology have completed five years of training. This makes them specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Patients are usually referred to the neurology practice by their GP.
Although the disease is very treatable, only around half of those affected seek treatment. The reason for this is a late and often incorrect diagnosis. Particularly in the early stages, it is a challenge to correctly classify the symptoms.
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