- Parkinson’s: Those are them symptoms
- early Warning signals: This is how the disease can be recognized
- Hope on therapy: This is the current state of the Science
Up to 400,000 people are according to the German Society for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders (DPG) currently affected by Parkinson’s disease in Germany. Parkinson’s disease, as the disease is also called, is the second after Alzheimer’s second most common neurodegenerative disease in Germany.
These are the symptoms of Parkinson’s
the Symptoms of Parkinson’s develop slowly. According to the DPG, they usually begin unilaterally and become more pronounced as the disease progresses. Thus, the diseases affected increase in their everyday and yours independence. Parkinson’s starts from a specific brain region, the so-called black matter in the midbrain. There are located special nerve cells (neurons) that contain the neurotransmitter dopamine produce and communicate with other nerve cells through them. Dopamine is important for controlling movement, among other things. In people affected by Parkinson’s disease More and more of these nerve cells die off. This creates a lack of dopamine and an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain. This results in the typical Parkinson’s symptoms. the cause of cell death with Parkinson’s is still not clearly proven.
View book tip on Amazon: Then I’ll tremble – living with Parkinson’s
To the typical symptoms include tremors, other movement disorders such as muscle stiffness, slow movements and balance problems. Additional Symptoms can be the “freezing” of movements (freezing), difficulties in speaking and swallowing, disorders of the vegetative functions – such as blood pressure and digestion. But sleep disorders, depression and mental impairments up to and including dementia can also be symptoms of Parkinson’s.
That progression of the disease can so far not stop. So far, Parkinson’s has been treated primarily with medication, physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. One new study by the Michael J. Fox Foundation brings hope now. Because it shows that patients already many years before the onset of the disease show symptoms other than muscular problems. If the disease is recognized, it can ideally be treated better.
Early signs of Parkinson’s can be seen 20 to 30 years before the disease
“We see here every day enormous number of Parkinson’s patients in different stages. And that’s tough because you just can’t do anythingBrit Mollenhauer, chief physician at the Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik in Kassel, a specialist clinic for Parkinson’s, tells nv. Drugs could only alleviate the symptoms, but the patients would gradually lose control of their movements. For most, that’s one great loss of quality of life.
That is exactly what should change now. Mollenhauer is also involved in the study, which is funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. In the study, after new healing approaches searched. The founder of the organization Actor Michael J. Fox (“Back to the Future”), was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 29. Today he is 61.
The study already shows that medicine with regard to Parkinson’s diagnoses “probably too late“is, Mollenhauer told ntv. On average, according to the DPG, Parkinson’s is only diagnosed between the ages of 55 and 60. Therefore, attempts should now be made to discover the disease earlier in order to be able to prevent it. Nice 20 years before the actual symptoms appear, non-motor symptoms may occur. These include about specific sleep disorders or a impaired sense of smell.
Early symptoms: “Unfortunately, many doctors don’t know that either”
The DPG also indicates early signs of the disease. Nice many years before the main symptoms can sleep behavior disorders, olfactory disorders, Visual disturbances, pain in muscles and joints, reduced swinging of the arms when walking, disturbances in fine motor skills (changed handwriting), tiredness, exhaustion, insecurity and tremors.
one of the most important early signs are sleep disorders. “Some also hit their bed partner, some talk in their sleep, call or scream too. Most of the time it’s negative dream content that is then acted out,” Mollenhauer told ntv, “that can 20, 30 years before the onset of Parkinson’s disease occur in isolation and should be a bit of a warning.” Mollenhauer points out that patients* must pay attention to such signals from the body and these clarify early should read. “Unfortunately Many doctors don’t know eitherbut that’s so characteristic of Parkinson’s and it’s incredibly important to educate people about it,” said the doctor.
Even if the previous treatment methods only alleviate the symptoms, but cannot stop them, according to Mollenhauer they can also be used do something yourselfto that Risk, getting Parkinson’s, too to reduce. “This is actually: exercise and good nutritionnot too much stress“, says Mollenhauer. A healthy lifestyle can have a protective effect.
Thumbnail: © Maja Hitij/dpa
