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. Parkinson’s disease can be seen frequently in the community. Parkinson’s disease, which is among the diseases that occur especially with age, can be caused by drugs, chemicals and genetic factors that cause cell loss. Early diagnosis is very important in order to prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease and to be treated more effectively. It is necessary to pay attention to the symptoms shown in order to detect it early. Experts said that 80-90 percent of Parkinson’s patients have a smell disorder.
ATTENTION IF THERE ARE SHAKING OF THE HANDS AND SLOW MOVEMENTS
According to the news of Sabah, the effects of dopamine, known as the happiness hormone, which directly affects the mood, on our body are not limited to our emotional world. Because dopamine deficiency is also shown as the cause of Parkinson’s disease, which is more common with advancing age and unfortunately has no cure yet. Early diagnosis is the most important gain in Parkinson’s disease, which presents with different symptoms such as tremors in the hands, slowness in movements and speech, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety. Noting that most patients can lead a normal life for many years by taking action as soon as the first symptoms of Parkinson’s appear, providing the right treatment and follow-up, Acıbadem Eskişehir Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar, “The incidence of Parkinson’s is 300 in every 100 thousand people. However, the risk increases as age progresses. It is thought that Parkinson’s, whose incidence increases to 1 percent after the age of 60, will be seen more in the coming years. Therefore, its symptoms It is very important to consider,” he said.
PARKINSON CAUSES LOSS OF DOPAMIN IN THE BRAIN
Stating that on April 11, World Parkinson’s Day, it is aimed to raise awareness about the disease, Dr. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar, “Parkinson’s is defined as a brain disease that occurs with the loss of the neurochemical substance called dopamine in the brain and progresses. Dopamine is a chemical that controls body movements in areas of the brain called “basal ganglia” and transmits messages between other brain regions. Dopamine is a fluent chemical in people. “When a large part of the cells that produce this chemical is lost, enough dopamine cannot be produced and the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear,” he said.
THE MOST IMPORTANT SYMPTOM IS ODOR DISORDER
Stating that the most important symptom of the disease is loss of smell, 80-90 percent of Parkinson’s patients have an olfactory disorder. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar said, “This odor disorder, which occurs especially in the early period, also affects odor perception, odor discrimination and identification. Loss or reduction of the sense of smell begins years before other symptoms of the disease.”
SLOWING SPEAKING SPEAKING AND VOICE TONE IS OBSERVED
Explaining that the disease emerges with the other symptoms of Parkinson’s and the symptoms discussed under the headings of “motor and non-motor”, Dr. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar made the following statement about the symptoms:
“Motor symptoms manifest themselves mostly in body movements. Hand tremors, uncontrolled movements of the thumb, tremors in the chin and lips, sometimes twitches in the leg muscles are seen. Tremors in Parkinson’s disease occur when the hands are at rest. When stressed and excited, coffee or drug consumption is observed. It is necessary to distinguish it from the situation seen with the familial tremor that develops after the disease or called essential tremor. The movements of patients with Parkinson’s slow down. In this condition, which is called bradykinesia, the patient has difficulty in starting and maintaining movement. They walk with short steps and have body aches due to stiffness in the muscles. Symptoms such as slowing down in speed and tone of voice, decrease in facial expressions, monotony of speech and sudden shrinkage or irregularity of handwriting also indicate Parkinson’s.
SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP DISORDER AND Constipation
The non-motor symptoms of the disease are listed as “sleep disturbances, constipation, loss of sense of smell, depression, sexual dysfunction and anxiety”. However, Dr. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar pointed out that the disease may occur with different symptoms in each patient and said, “When Parkinson’s is mentioned, tremor comes to mind. However, 15 percent of patients do not experience tremors throughout their lives. Therefore, early diagnosis is higher for people with tremors.”
WITH THE CORRECT FOLLOW-UP, THE PATIENT CAN LIVE FOR LONG YEARS
Noting that there is no specific test to clearly define the disease, Dr. Ümit Gedikoğlu Kurtar concluded his words as follows:
“The diagnosis of Parkinson’s is made when other diseases with similar symptoms are eliminated or when the patient responds to Parkinson’s medications. Treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease can have an impact on the current findings of the disease and quality of life. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and thus the symptoms may worsen as time progresses. With proper treatment and follow-up, Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed. Most patients can lead a normal life for many years. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as the first signs and symptoms of the disease are detected, so that it is possible to evaluate the treatment options in the best way. With early treatment, it becomes possible to slow the course of the disease. It is important to identify and eliminate the side effects. However, it is wrong to stop the drug because the side effects of the drug have been seen, because the symptoms of the disease reappear.”