Living with Parkinson's

We do simple things every day without much thought – brushing our teeth, getting dressed, or eating breakfast. But for people living with Parkinson’s disease, these daily tasks can be challenging, requiring extra effort and focus.

Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that affects movement and balance. It happens when the brain loses dopamine cells in the basal ganglia (group of cells in the forebrain). These cells send signals that help control things like our movement, mood, and automatic functions. When they die off, the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, doesn’t work as well.

What causes Parkinson’s?

Once one nerve cell becomes abnormal, it spreads to your body’s other nerve cells, leading to Parkinson’s symptoms. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown – this is called Idiopathic Parkinson’s.

However, some factors may increase the risk, including:

• Head injuries – Past concussions or trauma to the head.
• Chemical exposure – Contact with pesticides or harmful substances.
• Genetics – Some cases are linked to inherited genes.

The average age people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s is around 60 years old. In rare cases, people under 50 can develop young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD).

Subtypes and symptoms of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is characterized by a set of symptoms referred to as Parkinsonism. One of the key Parkinsonism features is Bradykinesia – a term used to describe movements that get smaller, slower, or have interruptions.

Parkinson’s can be categorized in a few different ways depending on your symptoms:

• Tremor-predominant – Tremors are seen as the primary symptom.
• Akinetic-rigid – Stiffness and muscle rigidity during movement.
• Postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) – Balance issues and disruption in walking patterns.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s can also be classified as either motor (movement) or non-motor (non-movement).

• Motor symptoms include:
  • Tremors at rest.
  • Rigidity and stiffness of the muscles.
  • Issues with balance.
  • Difficulties with speech or swallowing.
• Non-motor symptoms often co-exist with motor symptoms. These include:
  • Loss of smell.
  • Blood pressure lability, or when blood pressure goes very high and quickly very low, particularly with body position changes (orthostatic hypotension).
  • Constipation and nausea.
  • Sweating.
  • Changes and difficulty with urination.
  • Anxiety or depression.

Providers from AHN Neurology are there to answer any questions you have about your symptoms and ways to manage them.

Treatment and rehabilitation options

With the right treatment plan, many people with Parkinson’s can still live a full and fulfilling life. Your care team at AHN Forbes Hospital is dedicated to improving your quality of life and managing your Parkinson’s through specialized care.

Depending on your symptoms, treatment options can include:

• Physical therapy – Tailored exercises to help improve movement, strength, and balance.
• Occupational therapy – Focuses on making daily activities easier to manage.
• Speech therapy – Addresses issues with speaking and swallowing.
• LSVT BIG^® and LSVT Loud^® Therapy – Focuses on things like projecting the voice, standing up tall, and swinging your arms.
• Symptomatic medication – Treats symptoms and affects how the brain releases dopamine but does not address underlying causes.

Lifestyle changes like getting regular aerobic exercise, prioritizing sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet can also help you manage symptoms of Parkinson’s and, in some cases, even slow its progression. 

A step toward a better tomorrow

Don’t let Parkinson’s hold you back any longer. AHN Neuroscience Institute at Forbes Hospital is here to provide expert care and support so that you can keep doing the things you love, while living with Parkinson’s.

Schedule an appointment at Forbes Hospital today.