What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that gets progressively worse; sadly, there is no cure – though research continues to find a breakthrough – and it’s not particularly rare. According to Parkinson’s UK, there are around 145,000 people in the UK who are living with this debilitating disease. Parkinson’s disease is also the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
Whether a family member has been newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, or has been living with it for a while, it can be a worrying time.
In this Family Guide to Parkinson’s, we’ll look at what causes the condition, typical symptoms, and cover tips and advice for helping someone to live with it.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s is caused when the loss of nerve cells in the brain stops the production of a chemical called dopamine. The brain uses dopamine to send messages to help control movement; when it can’t produce enough dopamine, movement is affected and actions such as walking, talking, writing and smiling become more difficult. Movement issues will worsen as the level of dopamine reduces slowly over a number of years, making symptoms more obvious and serious.
Who is affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is more common in the over 50s*, but people much younger than that can also get it. It’s thought that around 1 in 20 people with Parkinson’s can start to experience symptoms below the age of 40, while there are also cases of young onset Parkinson’s. It can be hereditary, though it’s rare that it runs in families. The NHS say that men are slightly more likely to get Parkinson’s than women.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are wide-reaching and varied, with over 40 different symptoms recognised. Not everyone will experience all of them, and the symptoms can differ from person to person. Some symptoms are visible even during the early stages of Parkinson’s. So, if you’re concerned about a member of your family, it’s a good idea to be aware of the early signs of the condition. The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowness of movement
Other symptoms might be:
- Sleep issues, such as insomnia
- Loss of sense of smell
- Smaller handwriting
- Mental health issues - including depression and anxiety
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
Living with Parkinson’s disease
Understandably, living with Parkinson's disease can be a very emotional and worrying time for the person with the condition but also for their friends and family. Although there is no cure there are treatments in place to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's.
When those symptoms become a challenge, drug treatment can be used to control them. Most of the drugs used while treating patients with Parkinson's aim to increase the level of dopamine. Other methods may include speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, which may all help to ease symptoms.
For someone with Parkinson's it’s extremely important that they stay as physically and mentally fit as they can and try to reduce the amount of stress*. Regular exercise can also relieve muscle stiffness, while a healthy balanced diet gives the body all the nutrients it needs and can help lift somebody’s mood.
As Parkinson's disease can be life changing, talking to others about your condition may be difficult. Your GP can provide helpful information regarding who else you may want to talk to, along with helping with anxiety, frustration, and depression.
Living with Parkinson's disease may cause challenges to daily routines and tasks. To another person, many of these tasks may seem simple but to the individual affected, they are likely to be extremely difficult.
However, help is available. We have a range of aids that can make challenging everyday tasks just a little easier to manage.
Practical aids to help with Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease can affect a large part of the individual’s life and daily routine. Below are some great products to ease the stress and help with the person’s independence and self-esteem. It's really important, when considering using any of these products, to follow the user instruction guides to make sure they're used competently and safely.
Bathroom aids
Muscle stiffness and reduced movements are some recognised symptoms for people experiencing Parkinson’s, which may make bathing difficult. Some recommended Occupational Therapist approved products to support bathing difficulties are;
Dressing aids
Muscle stiffness and a loss of dexterity and strength in hands and fingers can make the easiest of tasks seem particularly challenging – such as getting dressed and undressed. To reduce the difficulty of fastening zips, pulling on trousers, using buttons and so on, there is a wide variety of dressing aids products to help. These include button hook and zip pullers, zip pulls, dressing sticks, and more.
Eating and drinking aids
Someone who has tremors and shakes will find it hard or almost impossible to use regular cutlery or cups. Weighted cutlery could be useful at meal times along with plate surrounds and guards to reduce the chances of spills or accidents. Drinking aids, including cups with handles and lids to maximise grip and limit any damage from accidental spillage, are other helpful options.
Kitchen aids
Someone with Parkinson’s disease may find previously straightforward tasks or activities in the kitchen hard. Kitchen aids can restore some much-needed independence. For tremors and muscle stiffness, items such as the kettle tipper will be exceptionally useful to avoid accidents; it tips to pour rather than being lifted like standard kettles. Other items such as hot drink dispensers, food preparation aids and non-slip kitchen mats all help to avoid accidents.
Household aids
Day to day living may be a challenge for anyone living with Parkinson’s, particularly as symptoms worsen, but there are products specifically designed to help. Our range of general household aids can assist with vital tasks, whether that’s a lap tray to make mealtimes easier, household tables, household stools and steps or more.
Mobility aids
As mobility, balance and walking are affected by those living with Parkinson’s, using a mobility aid can provide much-needed support. A walking stick, walker or rollator may help someone to remain as independent for as long as possible.
Bradykinesia – slow movement – and postural instability both contribute to walking or gait difficulties in Parkinson’s, particularly as the disease progresses. Early symptoms include a decrease in the natural swing of one or both arms when walking, while later, steps might become slow and small, leading to someone adopting a shuffling gait.
You can see all our mobility aids here.
Further support and information
If you’re living with, or supporting someone with Parkinson’s disease, you may find the following websites and organisations information useful.
*Source: NHS.uk
