World Parkinson’s Day: Understanding Parkinson’s Disease and Its Impact

This Thursday marks the 28th World Parkinson's Day, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent degenerative disorder affecting approximately 4.5 million people worldwide.

PD primarily impacts the nervous system, with motor symptoms being the most recognizable. Individuals with Parkinson's often experience tremors in their hands, feet, head, or even lips and jaws when at rest. Additionally, the disease causes stiffness and reduced flexibility, making everyday movements like walking, writing, or swallowing increasingly difficult.

Beyond motor challenges, PD also brings a range of non-motor symptoms that significantly affect patients' quality of life. These include olfactory dysfunction, insomnia, constipation, mood disturbances, and cognitive changes. Hu Yongsheng, a chief physician at the functional neurosurgery department of Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, emphasized that non-motor symptoms can be early indicators of PD.

Sleep disorders are particularly common, with PD patients sometimes exhibiting yelling or kicking movements during sleep or experiencing sudden episodes of sleep during conversations. Difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and early waking are also reported.

While PD is more common in the elderly, its early symptoms are often subtle and mistakenly attributed to normal aging. Hu warns, \"Most PD cases begin with one side of the body, and then gradually worsen, eventually affecting both sides.\" He clarifies that PD is not a natural part of the aging process, but rather stems from insufficient dopamine secretion in the brain, leading to impaired motor function and increased susceptibility to depression.

Although PD is commonly associated with older adults, there is a growing number of young individuals diagnosed with the disease. The exact causes remain unclear, but the gradual degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, along with genetic and environmental factors, contribute to the onset of PD. Hu notes, \"More and more young people are also experiencing the disease … mostly related to genetic factors,\" highlighting that family history can increase the risk and potentially lead to an earlier onset.

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, evidence suggests that physical activity can reduce the risk of disease progression and alleviate both motor and non-motor symptoms. Three types of exercises are recommended for PD patients:

• Aerobic Exercises: Improve cardiorespiratory endurance.
• Resistance Exercises: Increase muscle strength through activities like using barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands, or body-weight exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups.
• Stretching Exercises: Enhance muscle and ligament flexibility, improving balance and coordination.

Incorporating these exercises into daily routines can empower those living with PD to maintain mobility and enhance their overall well-being.

World Parkinson's Day serves as a crucial reminder to increase awareness, support research efforts, and foster a more inclusive environment for individuals living with Parkinson's disease worldwide.

Reference(s):

World Parkinson's Day: Gain more knowledge about Parkinson's disease

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