World Parkinson's Disease Day

The 27th World Parkinson's Disease Day fell on Apr 11, 2023. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common degenerative disease of the nervous system, commonly seen in the elderly.

 

 

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, mainly affecting middle-aged and elderly people, often occurring after the age of 60. Its symptoms include static tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movement, as well as non-motor symptoms such as sensory decline, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders and mental disorders.

 

Static tremors: More visible when a patient is at rest, it often originates from the distal end of one upper limb. The typical manifestation of static tremors in the hands is a "ball rubbing" motion between the thumb and index finger.

 

Muscle stiffness: The sufferer experiences stiffness that lasts for a long time in the muscles or joints or when moving hands or arms (known as lead pipe rigidity) or stiffness that happens together with limb tremor (known as cogwheel rigidity).

 

Slow movement: A patient’s movement slows down and it takes longer to start a movement. Washing up, getting dressed and other delicate movements become more difficult.

 

Posture disorder: It appears in the middle and late stages of the PD, often making a patient walk faster and harder to stop, known as panic gait.

 

Sensory disorders: In the early stages, there may be decreased olfactory function, and in the middle and late stages of the disease, there may be numbness and pain in the limbs.

 

Autonomic nerve dysfunction: Stubborn constipation, excessive sweating, increased sebum overflow and poor urination can occur.

 

Sleep disorders: Excessive dreaming at night, accompanied by shouting, can occur.

 

Mental disorders: Some patients will have cognitive impairment or even dementia, accompanied by anxiety and depression.

 

 

Studies have shown that the aging of the nervous system, genetic factors, environmental toxins (industrial and agricultural pollution, indoor decoration pollution, cellphone and computer radiation), and immunological abnormalities may be involved in the degeneration and death process of dopaminergic neurons, which results in PD. 

 

By improving the environment, regulating lifestyles and treating primary diseases, Parkinson's disease can be prevented to an extent.

 

1. Improving the environment: Try to avoid contact with such toxins as insecticides and herbicides.

 

2. Adjusting lifestyles: Strengthen exercise, try to have a light diet, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption and relieve stress.

 

3. Treatment of primary disease: Avoid cerebral arteriosclerosis, and control blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar and other risk factors that can cause cerebral arteriosclerosis.

 

4. Others: Avoid trauma and pay attention to the side effects of medication.

 

Early detection and intervention can help us better treat PD. If you choose "Yes" for three or more of the following questions, you are recommended to go to a medical institution for further examination.

 

Do you have difficulty in standing up from a chair?

 

Has your handwriting become smaller than before?

 

Has anyone said that your voice is lower than before?

 

Are you prone to falling when walking?

 

Do your feet sometimes suddenly feel stuck to the ground, like you are unable to lift them?

 

Are your facial expressions not as rich as before?

 

Do your arms or legs often tremble?

 

Do you feel difficulty tying buttons or shoelaces by yourself?

 

Do you take small steps with your feet dragging while walking?

 

 

 

PD patients should have a correct understanding of the disease. Patients and their family members should be aware that the pain and side effects of medication may cause mental and emotional problems, which can be resolved through psychological counseling.

 

 

PD patients should participate in social activities with family members, neighbors, friends and colleagues. Cultivating interests and hobbies, participating in volunteer activities, picking up children after school, walking dogs and gardening can enrich a patient's life.

 

 

Physical exercise can not only block the progression of PD, but also relieve anxiety, depression and insomnia. PD patients can try Tai Chi, yoga, walking or swimming. Training themselves to get up from sitting positions and doing turning, stepping and striding exercises can also suppress movement disorders.