Causes
The exact cause of Parkinson’s is unknown. It may have both genetic and environmental components. Some scientists believe that viruses can trigger Parkinson’s as well. Low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, a substance that regulates dopamine, have been linked with Parkinson’s. Abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies have also been found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s. Scientists do not know what role, if any, Lewy bodies play in the development of Parkinson’s. While there’s no known cause, research has identified groups of people who are more likely to develop the condition, which include: Sex. – Men are one and a half times more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women. Race – According to research, there’s a higher prevalence of Parkinson’s in white people compared with Black or Asian people. Geographic location may be one reason for a higher risk. Age – Parkinson’s usually appears between ages 50 and 60 years. It only occurs before 40 years old in about four percent of cases. Family history – People who have close family members with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Toxins – Exposure to certain toxins may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Head injury – People who experience head injuries may be more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects your muscles and slows down your movements as the nerve cells in your brain gradually break down and die. Over time, Parkinson’s makes simple, everyday tasks difficult, time-consuming and frustrating. As with many diseases, the early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Tremors usually begin in a limb, often in your hand or fingers. Your hand shakes even when it’s at rest. Getting out of a chair is a challenge. Walking is an even greater challenge as your steps become shorter and your feet drag. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Your posture is stooped and your balance is affected, leading to a high risk of falls. Throughout your body, your muscles feel stiff — limiting your range of motion due to the pain. In fact, you may feel pain in several areas of your body. Your communication skills are impaired. Everything from speech to writing to expressing yourself through body language becomes a challenge. You may slur your words and hesitate before speaking. It becomes more difficult to write because of the tremors in your hands. Simple facial expressions — including blinking or smiling — are harder to do, which is why Parkinson’s patients often have a blank, expressionless look on their face. In the later stages of Parkinson’s, cognitive disorders (dementia) as well as cognitive impairments (trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, daily decision making) develop that are not responsive to medications. Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions occur frequently in Parkinson’s patients — but are often not diagnosed. You will likely develop sleep problems, including waking up frequently throughout the night, waking up early or falling asleep during the day. You will experience low energy and fatigue throughout the day. As your disease progresses, it affects the muscles in your mouth and throat. You will develop difficulties with swallowing, chewing and eating — creating a choking hazard and further weakening your body from poor nutrition. Loss of muscle control leads to bladder problems, and constipation occurs as your digestion slows down. And many Parkinson’s patients experience a decrease in sexual desire or performance. What causes Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s disease develops when we lose the neurons that produce dopamine — a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When dopamine-producing cells die, abnormal brain activity develops that leads to Parkinson’s disease. As well, Lewy bodies appear — clumps within the brain cells that are microscopic markers of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists have known for several decades that Lewy bodies could be found in the gastrointestinal tracts of Parkinson’s patients. Researchers believe that knots of alpha-synuclein (a-synuclein) — a natural, widespread protein that’s found in all Lewy bodies — cannot be broken down by your body and plays a key role in the onset of Parkinson’s. Genetics play a small role in determining who will get Parkinson’s. Genetic markers and mutations account for a minority of Parkinson’s cases. Having a close relative increases your risk somewhat. However, if several family members have Parkinson’s, your risk is great. Other risk factors include exposure to certain toxins — especially herbicides and pesticides. In most cases, Parkinson’s disease begins in people age 60 or older. And men are far more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women.
Symptoms
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); Constipation; 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. 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.
Treatments
7 Evidence-Based Activities for Parkinson’s Disease
GreenMedInfo
https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/7-evidence-based-activities-parkinsons-disease
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF PARKINSON’S As the research experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine have confirmed, the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of Parkinson’s is to improve your gut health. And when you consider that 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut and is regulated by beneficial bacteria and microbes, healing your gut is essential. Beneficial or “friendly” bacteria should make up about 85-90 percent of your total gut flora. But for many reasons, including diet, stress, antibiotic use, and other factors, the ratio can become skewed. PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS can balance the beneficial bacteria and help maintain healthy intestinal flora. A level of 40 billion CFU of probiotic bacteria is optimal for daily use and for enhancing your overall health. CFU stands for colony-forming units, which represents the number of live bacteria per serving. Studies show that multi-strain formulas achieve better results than single-strain probiotics. Four of the most important strains of probiotic are: Lactobacillus acidophilus: Well known for supporting beneficial intestinal flora, a key variable in overall good health., Bifidobacterium lactis: Provides digestive and immune support., Lactobacillus plantarum: One of the most beneficial bacteria in your body, known for digestive support as well as support for healthy cholesterol., Lactobacillus paracasei: Offers a range of benefits, including digestive regularity and enhanced immune function. DIGESTIVE ENZYMES can help prevent or reverse leaky gut. Enzymes help break down difficult-to-digest food molecules into smaller molecules that your digestive system is capable of processing. This helps prevent food from leaking through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream — which your body perceives as “invaders” and triggers an inflammatory response. The combination of enzymes and probiotics supports digestive health and ensures nutrients are delivered to where they are most needed. Key benefits include: Supporting digestive and gut health, Promoting a healthy inflammatory response, Enhancing nutrient absorption, Assisting the body in breaking down difficult-to-digest proteins, Promoting healthy metabolism, Supporting healthy weight management
