Not everything that changes over the years is normal, because sometimes the body begins to send signals that deserve attention, whether it is the walking slower, losing balance or even stopping smelling smells are warning signs and many times, these are the first signs of Parkinson’s.
Ricardo Rincón Montero, neurologist at the Metropolitan Hospital and who is part of the MediSmart medical network, explained the importance of early detection and how adequate information can make a big difference in the patient’s evolution.
What you should know:
- It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- It is usually diagnosed after the age of 60.
- It has no cure.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects the neurons responsible for producing dopaminean essential substance to coordinate body movements. A lack of dopamine can also impact mood and motivation.
Furthermore, the disease of Parkinson’s is progressive and has genetic, environmental causes and others not known. However, reducing this disease solely to tremor is an understatement of a much more complex condition.
“In a colloquial way, I like to explain it as that in a house we cannot get rid of the garbage we produce and it little by little accumulates, until it reaches the point where the house is not a suitable place to live and we have to abandon it,” Rincón described.
He Parkinson’s manifests itself more frequently after the age of 60and its incidence continues to increase in the following decades.
Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Parkinson’s disease causes several symptoms that are divided into motors and non-motors.
Engines
- slowness of movements
- shaking
- involuntary movements
- rigidity
- difficulty walking
- loss of balance.
Non-motors:
- cognitive impairment
- mental disorders
- dementia
- sleep disorders
- pain
- sensory alterations.
For the neurologist, the evolution of Parkinson’s varies in each person since there are several factors that significantly influence the prognosis of the disease such as the family environment, access to treatment, physical activity and attitude towards the diagnosis.
Data from the WHO detail that there are other movement disorders, such as multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, chorea, ataxia and dystonia that present symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease.
What are the stages of Parkinson’s and what do they consist of?
The Parkinson’s Foundation scale describes five stages of the disease: the stages 1 and 2 correspond to the phase initialthe stages 2 and 3 to the intermediate phaseand the stages 4 and 5 to the advanced phase of Parkinson’s disease.
“The individuality of the person is what defines their condition since there are people who unfortunately do have a very rapid progression of all the symptoms and if, in addition to this, they have a social and family condition that does not make it easier for them to manage the disease.
What tests are recommended to be performed when I suspect Parkinson’s?
One of the main challenges of this disease is its early detection. The neurologist details that Every diagnosis of Parkinson’s is fundamentally clinical.
“This means that the history that the person provides and the physical examination that is performed is enough to have a high suspicion and safety margin of the disease since it can also be confused with Parkinsonism,” Rincón explained.
Why is it important to detect this disease early?
Most of the symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, They do not manifest until at least 80% of the neurons that produce dopamine have already degenerated previously.
It is essential to detect Parkinson’s early to offer guidance and education to the patient, break the social taboos associated with the disease and reduce the fear that many patients feel when going to the doctor.
There are previous signs that often go unnoticed, such as sleep disorders, loss of smell or constipation.
What are the first motor signs that should alert us?
According to the specialist, it is mainly a decrease in the speed of movement as well as in the amount of movement when performing different tasks.
“It is important to remember that there are also non-motor symptoms, that is, discomfort of the person that does not manifest itself in the person’s movement or muscles, such as constipation, loss of smell of unexplained cause or people who begin with sleep problems, where they manifest very real dreams or a lot of movement during deep sleep,” the doctor described.
How many years can a person with Parkinson’s live?
“The impact of the disease depends on the age and context of each patient; I have treated people with more than 30 years of evolution who maintain good functionality,” said Rincón.
Does early detection delay the progression of the disease?
Early detection of Parkinson’s does not stop neuronal degeneration, but it allows you to receive timely guidance and treatment to maintain functionality, preserve your independence, and prevent symptoms from accelerating, even if the disease is already advanced at the time of diagnosis.
World Parkinson’s Day
Every April 11, World Parkinson’s Day is celebrated.established by the WHO in 1997 in honor of the British neurologist James Parkinson, who described this disease in 1817.
Parkinson’s is second in prevalence and incidence among older adults, affecting 4-5 million people over 50 years of age worldwide, according to the Neuroscience Research Center (CIN) of the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
