Warning signs of Parkinson's disease

Slow and stiff movements, shaking hands and feet even during breaks . may be signs of Parkinson's disease.

According to the doctor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Tai, deputy head of Neurology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Parkinson's disease is due to degeneration of the nervous system, making neurons in the brain unable to continue to produce. dopamine (neurotransmitters released from the top of the brain stem, plays an important role in controlling many body functions).The characteristic manifestation of the disease is slow movement, stiffness, tremor and balance disorders.

Parkinson's disease is common in older people, only 10% of cases start in age under 40. The rate of detection of this disease in young people is increasing. Statistics in the world today have about 6.3 million people with Parkinson's disease. In Vietnam, there is no epidemiological survey data on this disease. Noting only in the Department of Neurology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2015, there were more than 4,000 visits to Parkinson's disease, about 1,100 patients were treated and monitored.

Doctors acknowledge Parkinson's is not an acute serious disease, but causes a big obstacle to work, daily living, and reduces the quality of life of patients. The disease may progress gradually more and more. If not treated properly, after 5 to 7 years, there is a risk of disability.

As the disease progresses, the patient shakes in any part of the body such as arms, legs, head . (Artwork: Wikihow).

Until now, scientists have not found the main cause of Parkinson's disease. About 5-10% of cases have genetic factors, there is an interaction between genes and special environmental conditions that cause disease. The disease also increased in the group with a family history of Parkinson's disease or exposure to chemicals and pesticides.

Some typical symptoms of the disease include:

Run

As the disease progresses, the patient shakes in any part of the body such as arms, legs, head . In the early stages, mild tremor symptoms appear in the fingers, can slightly twitch and trembling when trying to sit, move.

Change the handwriting

Symptoms of muscle stiffness make it difficult to move fingers, patients have difficulty writing or the size and distance between the words suddenly change, writing strokes are smaller or more narrow .

Reduce the sense of smell

Decreased sense of smell causes patients to lose their ability to distinguish odor, which is one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson's.

Insomnia

Early signs of Parkinson's disease are missing or insomnia. The patient often rests on the bed, having difficulty falling asleep for a long time.

Be curved

People with Parkinson's often change their posture in the bow direction, hunching their back more and more. They often stoop when moving, even when standing and standing unsteadily.

Change the voice

Parkinson's reduces the function of the nervous system, so it can affect your voice, even losing your voice.

Parkinson's disease is more common in older people, only 10% of onset cases under 40 years old.

Dizziness or fainting

Dizziness and fainting are very common symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Slow operation

Due to stiff joints, not flexible, muscle aches, patients become slow and have difficulty moving, turning, grasping . Many people believe that this is a problem of old age, but also may be early signs of neurodegenerative disease.

Depression

Parkinson's psychological effects make people easily fall into depression.

Scientists have not yet found a way to heal Parkinson's disease or slow disease progression. However, doctors are always trying to find many advanced treatments such as medicine, surgery that have been proven effective in improving symptoms of Parkinson's, helping to improve the quality of life of patients.

Constipation

Constipation may be a warning sign of Parkinson's disease.

Even if you receive enough water and fiber in your daily diet but still have constipation, think about the possibility of Parkinson's disease. The reason, Parkinson's affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the activity of smooth muscles in the intestine and bladder. One way to identify the difference between normal constipation and constipation Parkinson is that the person often has a feeling of fullness, even when eating very little and prolonged.

Persistent neck pain

This sign is especially common in women. Neck pain associated with Parkinson's disease differs from conventional neck pain mainly in a persistent feeling. In some people, they may have less pain but instead are numb and itchy, there is also pain and discomfort from the shoulder area to the arm.

Steady balance

Parkinson's patients often have a bent body shape, with their shoulders folded and head protruding. Along with the movement problems, they find it difficult to maintain balance and easily lead to a risk of falling.

Stubborn face

According to Griswoldhomecare, people with Parkinson's disease have difficulty expressing their emotions on their faces, often staring at some distance and their eyes constantly flashing.