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What is Parkinson's disease? -

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive nervous system disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

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Causes -

The disorder is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This in turn leads to a deficit of dopamine.

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What is dopamine? -

Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body. It's a neurotransmitter responsible for relaying signals between the nerve cells of the brain. Dopamine has a direct impact on our central nervous system.

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Loss of nerve cells -

Exactly what causes the loss of these dopamine-producing nerve cells is unclear. However, both genetic and environmental factors appear to influence a person's risk of developing Parkinson's.

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Who's affected? -

According to the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA), about 10 million people worldwide have PD, with nearly one million of those living in the United States.

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When do symptoms develop? -

Most people with Parkinson's start to develop symptoms when they're over 50, although around one in 20 people with the condition first experience symptoms when they're under 40. Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's than women.

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What are the symptoms? -

PD symptoms generally develop slowly over years, and can differ from from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease. Generally speaking, the three main symptoms of PD are: involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body; slow movement; limb rigidity and stiff and inflexible muscles.

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Secondary symptoms -

Besides these more obvious tell-tale signs, PD can also manifest itself by way of gait and balance problems, loss of smell (anosmia), irregular sleeping patterns, and memory loss.

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Psychological symptoms -

Besides physical symptoms, PD can also induce psychological problems, typically depression, anxiety, and irritability.

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Other non-motor symptoms -

Some people with the disorder may experience psychosis — sensing things that aren't there (hallucinations). Delusionary behavior, or believing something that has no basis in reality, is another non-motor symptom of PD.

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Living with Parkinson's disease -

A diagnosis of Parkinson's is quite devastating. But while there is currently no cure for the disorder, the condition can be managed.

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Exercise regularly -

In the early stages of the disorder, undertaking regular light exercise can be hugely beneficial in maintaining physical as well as mental health. In fact, researchers have found that Parkinson's patients who exercise at least 2.5 hours a week tend to experience a slower decline in their quality of life.

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Physiotherapy -

As the disease progresses, supportive treatments will be required, specifically physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

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Dopaminergic medication -

Treating PD may also involve taking dopaminergic medication, subscribed by a qualified physician. Dopamine agonists (DA) are medications that work by imitating the actions of dopamine when levels are low.

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Mobility aids and assistance -

A person in the later stages of Parkinson's disease can benefit from various aids and adaptations that can help enhance their independence and improve their quality of life. These include walking frames and household grab rails and handrails. As the condition worsens, a wheelchair may be necessary in order to assist mobility.

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Maintain a balanced diet - While no specific diet is recommended for those with Parkinson's, it goes without saying that maintaining a balanced, nutritional diet improves overall health. Furthermore, careful dietary measures can optimize the effects of Parkinson's medications while easing some of the symptoms. Be sure to consult a registered dietitian for professional advice regarding diet and PD medication.

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Keep a Parkinson's diary -

Living with a life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder can be a frightening and bewildering experience. But as already mentioned, the symptoms of PD can vary among patients. It's therefore recommended that those diagnosed with the disorder keep a diary to monitor their own unique progression of the disease.

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Track response to medications -

Writing a daily account of your experience with PD is useful in helping to track response to medications. For example, recording critical patterns in symptoms and describing any unusual side effects. Keeping a diary is also beneficial in noting progressive emotional or behavioral changes.

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Specialist care -

There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. It's therefore vital to book regular appointments with your specialist so your condition can be monitored in a medical environment.

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Keep up with your vaccinations -

It's a good idea for anyone living with a long-term condition to get a flu jab every fall. For sufferers of PD, the pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended. This is a one-off injection that protects against a serious chest infection called pneumococcal pneumonia.

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Relationships and support -

Being diagnosed with a long-term condition such as Parkinson's disease will invariably place a huge physical and mental strain on you, family, and friends. So, what can be done to ease the burden on everybody concerned?

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Learn more about the disease -

When someone you care about has Parkinson's disease, you see firsthand the effects the condition can have on their overall well-being. One of the coping mechanisms is to learn everything you can about the disease.

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Daily support -

Your loved one will require extra help and daily support to stay active and preserve their quality of life.

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Lend a hand -

What was once taken for granted— everyday things like shopping, cooking, and cleaning—become much more difficult when you have a movement disorder. That's when any help will be greatly appreciated. Care providers can lend a hand assisting with daily chores. Step in and offer to run errands, do the shopping, or drive to medical appointments.

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Get active -

We've already touched upon how important it is to remain active. Exercise helps the brain use dopamine—the chemical involved in movement—more efficiently. So if your friend or loved one isn't staying active, encourage them to get moving by taking a walk together every day.

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Sense of self -

Dealing with the deterioration of symptoms, such as increasing difficulty with movement, invariably interferes with the normalcy of life. With so much focus being placed on the disease and its symptoms, your loved one may very well start to lose their sense of self. So, what's the solution?

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Help them feel normalcy -

For PD sufferers, be open about how you feel, and let your friends and families know what they can do to help. Likewise, those in a position to assist should maintain a positive, optimistic air: there's no need to constantly remind them that they have a chronic disease.

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Near-normal life expectancy -

Fortunately, with advances in treatment, most people today with Parkinson's disease will live as long, or almost as long, as those without the disease. 

See also: The most dangerous medications in the world

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