ABOUT PARKINSON'S
What is Parkinson's?
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder belonging to a group of conditions called motor system disorders.
It is caused by the loss of cells in a section of the brain called the substantia nigra. The cells produce dopamine, a chemical transmitter responsible for delivering signals within the brain.
The loss of dopamine causes critical nerve cells in the brain to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to control or direct their movement in a normal manner.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Parkinson's often appear gradually with increasing severity over time. The main symptoms are tremors or trembling, difficulty maintaining balance and gait, rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk and general slowness of movement.
Over time people with Parkinson's may also experience difficulty walking, talking or completing simple tasks.
The progression of the disease varies substantially from patient to patient. Some people with Parkinson's have mild symptoms for many years, while others have especially severe cases that leave them with little or no mobility in just a few years.
What causes Parkinson's?
The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is still unknown. Most believe that it is a combination of genetic and environment factors.
Who gets Parkinson's?
There is currently no way to determine who will get Parkinson's disease or to prevent it from occurring. Generally both men and women are affected equally and symptoms first appear, on average, when a patient is older than 50.
The exact role of heredity in Parkinson's is not clear. There are relatively few families in which known genetic mutations cause the disease, but there are many more where the disease somehow 'runs in the family'. Most cases of Parkinson's are believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
What is young-onset Parkinson's?
When Parkinson's disease is diagnosed in individuals under the age of 40, it is called "young-onset" Parkinson's disease.
While young-onset is the same disorder as older-onset Parkinson's disease, the psychological, social, and medical management implications are very different in young-onset patients.
What are the challenges faced by young-onset Parkinson's patients?
It is difficult for anyone to receive the diagnosis of a chronic, neurodegenerative disorder at any age, but to understand its impact on the life of a young person is particularly difficult.
For older patients who may have retired and have a grown up family, the challenges are different from those diagnosed at a younger age who may have career ambitions, a family to support or the desire to start a new family.
Parkinson's disease does not follow a clear path of degeneration. It is a distinctly individual journey which means the future of a young person with Parkinson's is full of uncertainties.
Each person with Parkinson's disease presents a unique combination of symptoms, work-related issues, and family and financial circumstances.
Employment
The most commonly asked question by people with Parkinson's when they are diagnosed is "How long will I be able to work?"
Parkinson's disease progresses slowly. Taking the right medication will help young people with Parkinson's work for many years. In later years, the decision as to how long to continue to work or when to apply for medical disability is up to the individual.
Family
Parkinson's disease is a family affair. Opening up discussion about the disorder helps family members understand and feel comfortable.
Children will raise questions and concerns related to having a family member with Parkinson's disease: "Is it contagious? Is my parent going to die? Was it caused by something I did? Will it get better?"
Many people with Parkinson's have 'masking', meaning they have a lack of facial expression. This makes children wonder if their parent is continually angry or sad. Children need to be reassured and to have their questions answered directly and honestly. Older children require concrete information about the disease as well as emotional support. Educational materials - available from the library or from any of the national Parkinson's disease organisations - will help explain the symptoms and future of people with Parkinson's.
Depression
It is estimated that approximately 90 per cent of people with Parkinson's experience depression.
Depression can occur years before Parkinson's disease is diagnosed and may actually be the first indication of internal, neurochemical changes.
Many of the symptoms of depression - such as fatigue, slowness of movement, sleep disturbances and forgetfulness - are also symptoms of Parkinson's making it easily overlooked. People with Parkinson's should be aware of the symptoms of depression and talk to their neurologist about any concerns as soon as possible.
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