Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: Symptoms & Who’s Affected

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and can lead to a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Though its symptoms vary from person to person, PD generally begins with mild symptoms and progresses gradually over time. With over a million cases in North America and around 90,000 new diagnosis in the USA each year. In North America rates of PD are 572 cases per 100,000 people for those 45 years or older, compare that to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 290/100,000 for Canadians 20 years or older, or ALS at 1.63/100,000. This makes PD the most common movement disorder in North America. Understanding Parkinson’s disease is essential for raising awareness, advancing treatment, and supporting those impacted by the condition.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system, impairing movement control. It occurs when cells in the brain’s substantia nigra—responsible for dopamine production—begin to deteriorate. Dopamine, essential for smooth muscle movement, declines in PD, causing motor to appear and worsen gradually. Addtionally, those with PD will develop non-motor symptoms such as cognition and mood changes.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can develop Parkinson’s, but certain groups are at a higher risk:

1. Age: PD mainly affects people over 60. Only about 5-10% of cases are in those under 50, known as early-onset PD.
2. Gender: Men are 1.5 times more likely than women to be diagnosed with PD.
3. Genetics: Around 10-15% of PD cases have a genetic link. Mutations in certain genes, such as LRRK2 and SNCA, raise PD risk.
4. Environmental Factors: Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents may increase PD risk.
5. Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries may elevate PD risk, though the connection remains unclear.

Common Symptoms

Parkinson’s symptoms are typically divided into motor (physical) and non-motor (non-physical) categories.

Motor Symptoms

1. Tremors: Often the first noticeable sign, tremors or shaking start in one hand, arm, or leg. Tremors occur mainly at rest and worsen with time.
2. Bradykinesia: Slowed movement, known as bradykinesia, makes daily tasks more difficult, affecting actions like walking or writing.
3. Muscle Rigidity: Stiffness in muscles limits range of motion and may cause discomfort or a stooped posture as PD progresses.
4. Postural Instability: Balance issues appear in later stages, raising the risk of falls and limiting mobility.
5. Changes in Gait: People with PD often develop a shuffling gait and may feel temporarily “frozen,” unable to move forward.

Non-Motor Symptoms

Non-motor symptoms also affect people with Parkinson’s, impacting overall well-being:

1. Cognitive Changes: Memory and focus issues are common, and some may develop dementia in later stages.
2. Mood Disorders: Depression, anxiety, and apathy are frequent. They often appear before motor symptoms.
3. Sleep Disorders: Many people with PD struggle with insomnia, vivid dreams, or acting out dreams due to REM sleep behavior disorder.
4. Autonomic Dysfunction: The autonomic nervous system may be affected, causing constipation, urinary issues, low blood pressure, and excessive sweating.
5. Loss of Smell (Hyposmia): A reduced sense of smell may appear years before other PD symptoms.
6. Fatigue: Many with PD feel extreme fatigue despite rest, impacting daily energy levels.

Age-Related Incidence

The primary risk factor for Parkinson’s disease is age. It’s not common to see Parkinson’s disease in people younger than 50, but for a small subset of sufferers, the disease strikes early. While people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s at an average age of 60, anything younger than 50 is considered young-onset Parkinson’s, or YOPD. Rarely, Parkinson’s disease may be diagnosed in people younger than 40 — current estimates are that about 2 percent of the 1 million people with Parkinson’s were diagnosed earlier than age 40.

Economic and Social Impact

Parkinson’s disease costs the U.S. over $25 billion annually, including direct medical costs and indirect losses like lost wages and caregiver impact. Family caregivers often provide essential physical and emotional support, facing high financial and mental strain.

Advances in Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Though there’s no cure, PD treatments can manage symptoms and improve life quality.

1. Medications: Levodopa, which converts to dopamine, is the main treatment for motor symptoms. Dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors also help by mimicking or increasing dopamine.
2. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): For advanced PD cases, DBS surgery may help manage motor symptoms by regulating brain impulses.
3. Physical Therapy and Exercise: Exercise improves balance, strength, and flexibility. Activities like yoga, dance, and stretching aid mobility.
4. Speech and Occupational Therapy: Speech and occupational therapy help people with PD maintain communication skills and manage daily tasks.
5. Emerging Therapies: Research explores gene therapy, stem cells, and alpha-synuclein-targeting treatments, which may lead to new PD breakthroughs.

Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Life with Parkinson’s requires adjustments, a strong support system, and accessible medical care. The best tool that we currently have to help slow the progression is exercise, it is not a silver bullet, but it allows us to stay mobile, active and doing the things we love for as long as we can, it also helps to ensure safety with the prevention of falls. Ensuring a consistant routine of exercise with the combination of a social aspect helps to slow not only the motor deficits but also non-motor deficits such as depression, apathy and anxiety. Groups like the Parkinson’s Exercise group that runs out of the Field House in Saskatoon or personalized physical therapy offer great, lasting benefits. Since PD affects everyone differently, personalized care plans help meet unique needs, so no two approaches will look the same.

Final Thoughts

Parkinson’s disease is complex, impacting individuals, families, and communities. Research continues to improve treatment options, support earlier detection, and find a cure. Raising awareness, supporting research, and building support systems are essential to reduce Parkinson’s burden and enhance quality of life.

If you are a resident of Saskatchewan and you yourself or a loved needs support in regards to physical therapy and exercise, feel free to call North 49 at 306-343-7776 and book a Vestibular Assessment with Michael Tweten. Michael has a special interest and training in this area.