Parkinson’s disease occurs as a result of the deterioration of cells in the brain that produce a substance called dopamine, which enables brain cells to communicate with each other. Various studies are being conducted to detect Parkinson’s disease, which is more common after the age of 60. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London investigated early signs and risk factors for Parkinson’s disease. Examining health records, the team found that certain symptoms of Parkinson’s can appear up to 10 years before diagnosis.
MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE REVIEWED
The scientists analyzed the health records of more than a million people living in East London between 1990 and 2018. Looking at additional data from UK Biobank, researchers uncovered two “new” risk factors for Parkinson’s. “People from minority ethnic groups and deprived areas, research on Parkinson’s has so far been largely incomplete. But to allow us to get a full picture of the condition, we need to make sure the research is inclusive and representative of everyone affected.” said.
ATTENTION TO EPILEPSY AND HEARING LOSS
It was learned that the two new risk factors identified were epilepsy and hearing loss. Dr Simonet explained: “While previous research has indicated the link, for example, that epilepsy is more common in Parkinson’s patients than in the general population, more research is now needed before we fully understand the relationship.
“THE DISEASE CAN BE DIAGNOSED EARLY”
“In the meantime, it’s important for primary care practitioners to be aware of these links. And it’s understandable how early Parkinson’s symptoms can appear. So that the disease can be diagnosed in a timely manner and doctors can take early action to help manage the condition.”
TREATMENTS TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE CAN BE DONE
Dr. Alastair Noyce explained it in detail. “Shaking is one of the most prominent symptoms of Parkinson’s, but it was seen 10 years before the final diagnosis in our study. That’s a long time for patients to wait. If we can diagnose Parkinson’s sooner, we’ll be real about intervening early and providing treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life. We’ll have an opportunity.”
SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as stated by the NHS:
- Involuntary shaking of certain parts of the body (shaking)
- slow motion
- Rigid and inflexible muscles
- depression and anxiety
- balance problems
- Loss of sense of smell
- sleep problems
- memory problems