“Parkinson’s symptoms vary from person to person”
exp. Dr. Nurgül Uzun made a statement on the occasion of April 11, World Parkinson’s Day. Claiming that Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing brain disease with loss of brain cells, Uzm. Dr Nurgül Uzun said: “There are brain cells that produce dopamine in certain parts of the normal human brain. Dopamine is a chemical that sends messages between the substantia nigra region of the brain and other brain regions that control body movements. Dopamine sets people up able to perform smooth and harmonious movements.When 60 to 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells are lost, not enough dopamine can be produced and the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear.
“Early Symptoms of the Disease”
Speaking of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, Uzun said, “The earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear in the enteric nervous system, lower brainstem and olfactory tracts, which begin at the mouth and extend to the intestines. Parkinson’s disease spreads from these areas to the upper parts of the brain, namely the substantia nigra and cerebral cortex. Symptoms such as loss or decrease in the sense of smell, sleep disturbances, and constipation are believed to begin years before the motor symptoms of the disease, such as tremors and slowed movements. That’s why researchers are looking for ways to recognize these non-motor symptoms as early as possible and thus halt the progression of the disease.”
“Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease”
Uzun pointed out that the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are divided into two groups, namely those related to movement and those not related to movement (motor and non-motor), Uzun said: “Motor (related to movement) symptoms, tremor, slowing of movement (bradykinesia) and muscle contraction, inability to move (akinesia), contraction of limbs, inconsistent gait, and hunched back Non-motor (motion-related) symptoms include sleep disturbance, constipation, loss of sense of smell, depression, sexual dysfunction and anxiety.
“Symptoms of the disease vary from person to person”
Nurgül Uzun said that the symptoms of the disease can vary from person to person and therefore the progression of the symptoms may differ: “Symptoms can be seen at any age, but the average age of onset of Parkinson’s is 60 years. It is rarely seen in people under 30 years of age. In the form that develops at a young age, genetic causes are paramount. One of the first symptoms that usually appears is slowing down of one hand movements and less swinging of the arm when walking. This can be accompanied by shoulder pain. Another symptom is tremors which are mild at first and most noticeable at rest. Tremors usually occur in the hand, but the arms and legs can also be affected.
“The 15 percent never experience tremors”
Uzun stated that 15 percent of Parkinson’s patients never experience tremors during the course of the disease and shared the following information: “If the dominant side of the body is affected, the symptoms are most noticeable when performing some routine actions, like writing. People who experience tremors and whose symptoms affect the dominant side of the body are more likely to benefit from early diagnosis and treatment by seeing a doctor. People in the early stages of Parkinson’s may also experience balance problems. Parkinson’s patients often use fewer facial expressions and may speak slowly. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbances, depression and anxiety often precede motor symptoms. No specific test is available to clearly define this disease; The diagnosis of Parkinson’s is made when other diseases with similar symptoms have been eliminated after examination by the neurologist or when the patient responds to Parkinson’s drugs.
“Treatment Methods in Parkinson’s Disease”
Explaining Parkinson’s disease treatment methods, Uzun said, “Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and therefore symptoms can worsen over time. With proper treatment and follow-up, most patients can lead normal lives for many years. For this reason, it is important to be evaluated by a neurologist as soon as the first signs and symptoms of the disease are discovered. With early treatment, it becomes possible to slow down the course of the disease. It is important to identify and eliminate the side effects of the medications used during treatment. However, it is wrong to stop taking the drug because the side effects of the drug are seen as the symptoms of the disease reappear. Surgical treatment is not the first choice. However, it can be applied if the disease cannot be corrected or side effects associated with drug use have occurred.