Health Tip: April 11th is World Parkinson’s Awareness Day
April 11th is World Parkinson's Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting many seniors.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder. The first signs are problems with movement.
Smooth and coordinated bodily muscle movements are made possible by dopamine, a substance in the brain. Dopamine is produced in a part of the brain called the “substantia nigra.”
In Parkinson’s, the cells of the substantia nigra start to die. When this happens, dopamine levels are reduced. When they have dropped 60 to 80 percent, symptoms of Parkinson’s start to appear.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Some of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s can begin several years before motor problems develop. These earliest signs include:
decreased ability to smell (anosmia)
small, cramped handwriting
voice changes
stooped posture
The four major motor problems seen are:
tremor (shaking that occurs at rest)
slow movements
stiffness of arms, legs, and trunk
problems with balance and tendency to fall
Secondary symptoms include:
blank facial expression
a tendency to get stuck when walking
muffled, low-volume speech
decreased blinking and swallowing
tendency to fall backward
reduced arm swinging when walking
Parkinsonian gait, which is the tendency to take shuffling steps while walking
Other associated symptoms may include:
flaky white or yellow scales on oily parts of the skin, known as seborrheic dermatitis
increased risk of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer
sleep disturbances including vivid dreams, talking, and movement during sleep
anxiety
psychosis
problems with attention and memory
difficulty with visual-spatial relationships
Early signs of Parkinson’s disease may go unrecognized. Your body may try to alert you to the movement disorder many years before movement difficulties begin with these warning signs.
Is there a cure for Parkinson’s?
There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s, a disease that is chronic and worsens over time. More than 50,000 new cases are reported in the United States each year. But there may be even more, since Parkinson’s is often misdiagnosed.
It’s reported that Parkinson’s complications was the 14th major cause of deathTrusted Source in the United States in 2016.
Parkinson’s exercises
Parkinson’s often causes problems with daily activities. But very simple exercises and stretches may help you move around and walk more safely.
To improve walking
Walk carefully.
Pace yourself — try not to move too quickly.
Let your heel hit the floor first.
Check your posture and stand up straight. This will help you shuffle less.
To avoid falling
Do not walk backward.
Try to not carry things while walking.
Try to avoid leaning and reaching.
To turn around, make a U-turn. Do not pivot on your feet.
Remove all tripping hazards in your house such as loose rugs.
When getting dressed
Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready. Avoid rushing.
Select clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
Try using items with Velcro instead of buttons.
Try wearing pants and skirts with elastic waist bands. These may be easier than buttons and zippers.
Yoga uses targeted muscle movement to build muscle, increase mobility, and improve flexibility. People with Parkinson’s may notice yoga even helps manage tremors in some affected limbs. Try these 10 yoga poses to help ease symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s prevention
Doctors and researchers do not understand what causes Parkinson’s. They’re also not sure why it progresses differently in each person. That’s why it’s unclear regarding how to prevent the disease.
Each year, researchers investigate why Parkinson’s occurs and what can be done to prevent it. Recent researchTrusted Source suggests lifestyle factors — like physical exercise and a diet rich in antioxidants — may have a protective effect.
If you have a family history of Parkinson’s, you may consider genetic testing. Certain genes have been connected to Parkinson’s. But it’s important to know that having these gene mutations does not mean you’ll definitely develop the disease.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of genetic testing.