Around 1 in every 500 people develop Parkinson’s disease, an incurable neurological condition that usually occurs in people over the age of 50. Advances in treatments for Parkinson’s disease over the past few decades mean that it’s possible to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disease. Read on to find out more about Parkinson’s disease, or connect to other people who are living with the condition by joining Carecircle.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease results from the loss of nerve cells that produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine. These cells are located in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra. Dopamine helps to control movement, so a lack of dopamine produces symptoms such as stiff muscles and tremor (shaking).

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:

• Tremor (involuntary shaking)
• Slow movement
• Rigidity (stiff muscles)

Other symptoms can vary by patient, and Parkinson’s disease can affect different individuals in different ways. Some common symptoms include:

• Anosmia – loss of the sense of smell
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Problems with walking
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Anxiety and depression
• Memory problems

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Types of Parkinson’s disease

In addition to Parkinson’s disease, there are various similar conditions that are grouped under the term ‘parkinsonism’. These diseases all feature one or more of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: that is, slow movement, tremor and rigidity (stiff or inflexible muscles). Because they share symptoms, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish Parkinson’s disease from other forms of parkinsonism. Below are a few well-known forms of parkinsonism:

• Vascular parkinsonism is caused by restricted blood flow to the brain, and can sometimes result from a stroke.
• Drug-induced parkinsonism can result from the use of drugs that block dopamine to control psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Usually this type of parkinsonism resolves after stopping taking the drugs.
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurological disease that results in the loss of nerve cells at several locations in the brain, producing symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is caused by an accumulation of the protein tau in the brain, which damages nerve cells. In its early stages, it produces symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease.
• Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a similar condition to PSP, but tends to be much rarer.
• Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a form of dementia that produces similar symptoms to Parkinson’s disease, but with additional memory problems.
• Essential tremor (ET) is much more common than Parkinson’s disease, and as the name implies, it is characterized by a tremor – but without the stiff muscles and slow movement seen in Parkinson’s disease. It can be hard to distinguish between ET and Parkinson’s disease.

What causes Parkinson’s disease?

Research into what causes Parkinson’s disease is ongoing, but it seems to be linked to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. A handful of genes have been linked to a higher risk of developing the condition, but the disorder often occurs in individuals who have no family history of Parkinson’s disease. It’s unclear what the genetic inheritance pattern is in these cases.

Environmental factors that have been proposed to have a link with Parkinson’s disease include head injury and exposure to toxins, such as pesticides. However, a definitive cause has yet to be identified.

Age is the biggest risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, and it usually occurs in people over the age of 50. However, roughly 1 in 20 people with the disease begin to show symptoms under the age of 40.

How do you diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

Because a number of parkinsonism diseases share similar symptoms, it can be very difficult to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. In addition, the symptoms are often very mild and hard to detect when they first emerge.

There is no blood test or genetic test that can definitively show whether someone has Parkinson’s disease. Instead, if your doctor suspects you might have Parkinson’s disease, they will refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist. The specialist will ask a series of questions and perform a number of physical tests designed to ascertain any problems with movement. They might also prescribe the drug levodopa – an amino acid that can be converted to dopamine by the body. If taking levodopa improves the symptoms, it’s a strong sign that the person has Parkinson’s disease.

What to do if you have Parkinson’s disease?

If you receive a diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible.

• Find a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders. They can advise you on medications and exercises, as well as putting you in touch with people who can provide help.
• Reach out for advice and support wherever you can. Charities like Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s Foundation have excellent support networks, and you can also join Carecircle to connect with other people who are going through the same experience.
• Think about improving your diet to make it more balanced, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. This can help to ease symptoms such as constipation and cramps.
• Exercise frequently to help alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Your doctor or movement disorder specialist can help to advise on what kind of exercise program would be appropriate for your condition.

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What’s the treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

There are various medicines for treating the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: that is, rigidity, tremor and slow movements. Most of these involve boosting the level of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is linked to movement:

• Levodopa is the most common treatment for Parkinson’s disease. It’s the precursor to dopamine, which means it can be converted into dopamine by your body.
• Levodopa is often given with other medicines, which stop the body from converting levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain.
• Adenosine receptor antagonists such as istradefylline block the chemical adenosine to boost dopamine signalling.
• Anticholinergic medications such as benztropine reduce levels of acetylcholine to restore the balance of this brain chemical with dopamine.
• COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors stop dopamine from being broken down by enzymes in the body. MAO (monoamine oxidase) B inhibitors do a similar job.
• Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine.

In addition, there is a range of medications for treating other symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, such as constipation, depression, fatigue and low blood pressure.

For more advanced Parkinson’s disease, a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help to alleviate symptoms. This involves inserting metal wires into the brain, which send electrical impulses that can help to alleviate problems with movement. There is also focused ultrasound surgery, whereby ultrasound beams are used to eliminate brain cells that cause movement problems.

There is no outright cure for Parkinson’s disease, but the treatments listed above – in combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet – can help to ease the symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease FAQs

Below are a few answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Parkinson’s disease.

Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary?

Parkinson’s disease can be hereditary, whereby genes associated with the disease are passed down through families. This is rare, however: most cases of Parkinson’s disease are not hereditary, and the cause of the disease is unclear.

How to test yourself for Parkinson’s?

There are no genetic or blood tests that can indicate whether you have Parkinson’s disease. If you are worried that you might be showing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, talk to your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist.

Is Parkinson’s genetic?

Yes and no. Parkinson’s disease has been linked to a handful of genetic changes, but this seems to occur in just a minority of cases. Most of the time, it’s unclear what has caused the disease to develop.

What can mimic Parkinson’s disease?

A large range of disorders involve parkinsonism: that is, they mimic some or all of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but are different from Parkinson’s disease itself. Disorders that can mimic Parkinson’s disease include essential tremor, drug-induced Parkinson’s disease, vascular-induced Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and dementia with Lewy bodies.

How to prevent Parkinson’s disease?

There is no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but there are some known risk factors. Head injuries seem to increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, as does exposure to toxins such as pesticides and solvents.

How long can a person live with Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease will not kill you by itself, although the symptoms of the disease can increase the risk for other conditions – such as the risk of having a bad fall. Thanks to advances in Parkinson’s treatments, most people with the disease can expect to live for as long as those without it.

What foods to avoid with Parkinson’s disease?

Eating a balanced diet that’s packed with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is key to alleviating some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, like constipation. As such, it’s best to avoid processed foods and anything that’s high in saturated fat or cholesterol, such as ready meals.

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Parkinson’s disease resources

Below are links to a few websites that provide information and advice about Parkinson’s disease:

• NHS: Parkinson’s disease overview
• Parkinson’s UK
• Parkinson’s Foundation
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

We hope that this guide has been useful if you or someone close to you has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, or if you suspect you or someone close to you shows symptoms. If you’re concerned about any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, speak with your doctor. And remember that there’s a whole community out there on Carecircle who can provide support.

Guide sources

• NHS: Parkinson’s disease overview
• Parkinson’s UK
• Parkinson’s Foundation
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• National Institute on Aging: Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
• European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA)
• Medicine Plus: Parkinson disease
• Medical News Today: Parkinson’s diet