The invisible symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

The telltale signs of the condition

Imagine not being able to carry out the simplest everyday chores without assistance? Be it a walk in the park, enjoying a meal, changing clothes, or even holding a conversation. 

This is how people with Parkinson’s disease lead their lives. It is a disorder that affects the central nervous system, impairing all motor functions as the disease progresses. 

It is a very common neurodegenerative condition with 10 million affected individuals in the world. It is known to occur among the elderly between the age of  50 and 65. There are also reports on how it affects the young as well. 

Parkinson’s worsens over time. However, the initial symptoms include: 

• Tremors
• Slowed movement
• Impaired walk 
• Rigid muscles
• Impaired posture and balance
• Loss of involuntary movements
• Speech impediment 
• Difficulty in writing

It is essential to note that the above mentioned symptoms are all  changes in motor abilities. They are visible even to an untrained eye, making it far easier in diagnosing Parkinson's.

However, not all symptoms of Parkinson’s are as evident as tremors or slowed movement. The neurological condition also manifests through non-motor symptoms that are not easy to diagnose. In fact the underlying degeneration starts way before motor symptoms appear. This leads to a considerable delay in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’sdisease. 

So, what are the early non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? 

There are several symptoms that are known early signs of Parkinson’s. Here are the most common ones. 

Weak sense of smell and taste

Parkinson’s affects the anterior olfactory nucleus and olfactory bulb of the brain first — the part that helps us smell and taste. The deterioration occurs so gradually that it becomes almost impossible to notice at first. And when the taste buds are compromised individuals lose appetite, not taking in enough nutrients.   

Sleep disorders

Insomnia, feeling sleepy during the day, vivid dreams, and sleep talking are better known as symptoms of depression and not Parkinson’s.  However, all these are also known to occur when Parkinson’s hampers the functions of sleep regulators in the brain.

Mood disorders

The feeling of irritation, impulsiveness, anxiety and depression can easily be dismissed to be triggered by unpleasant situations in life. However, they can also be early symptoms of Parkinson’s as it affects the production of dopamine, a chemical that is necessary to regulate moods. Such mood swings can also affect one’s sexual life too, especially with erectile dysfunction. 

Fainting

This is a symptom that one would not associate with Parkinson’s even remotely.  On the flip side, the condition causes the nervous system to scarcely utilize a chemical called norepinephrine. This results in low blood pressure, causing one to faint or experience dizziness. 

Constipation

A common symptom for several other conditions, constipation can also seem off the radar for Parkinson’s.  It’s possibly the last thing one would associate with the disorder. However, Parkinson’s can cause the degeneration of nerves in the gastrointestinal tract leading to constipation. 

Here are symptoms that turn up as Parkinson’s progresses: 

Cognitive impairment

Cognitive changes like loss of memory, slowed thought processes, and lack of focus are tell-tale signs of Parkinson’s. Additionally, as the disease progresses, it eventually leads to hallucinations, delusions, and dementia due to the compromised production of dopamine.

Urinary problems

Apart from constipation, Parkinson’s also leads to increased frequency of urination and loss of control too due to the degeneration of autonomic bladder neurons. These neurons help the bladder contract to release urine. 

Masking: 

Persons with Parkinson’s have a reduced ability to emote through their expressions. As the condition advances, they tend to exhibit blank stares with little or no blinking. This makes them seemingly unapproachable, impeding their ability to communicate and express themselves. 

It is important to note that not all symptoms occur in all patients. However if a combination of these persist, it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. And given the advancements in neurological medicine and rehabilitation a quality life for a person in Parkinson's is not a distant dream. 

For instance Plexus, a Bangalore based Neuro and stem cell research centre is providing it’s patients the best possible results with its Regenerative Rehabilitation Program that includes:

Stem cell therapy — a painless, drugless process where cells with regenerative qualities are implanted into the patient’s body. Stem cell therapy is coming up as the best treatment for Parkinson’s disease due to its regenerative abilities. 

Physiotherapy — improves the posture, balance, and gait of the patient.

Occupational Therapy — works towards the improvement of day-to-day activities like having a meal, taking a bath. The therapists aim to make the patient as independent as possible.  

Speech Therapy — focuses on the impaired muscles in the face, mouth and throat used for speech.