Parkinsons disease - A guide for patients and carers by Dr Vivek Baliga

Parkinson's Disease - A
De nitive Guide For
Patients and Carers
Dr Vivek Baliga B
Consultant, Internal Medicine
A Simple To Understand Guide For Patients With Parkinson's Disease And Their Carers.

Parkinson's Disease - A De nitive Guide For Patients and Carers
I have had personal experience with a loved one su ering from Parkinson’s disease. Over the years, I have seen many individuals and
their family members express a great deal of concern over this condition.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neuro-degenerative condition. In simple terms, this means that it lasts for many years, and involves the
withering away of certain nerve bers in the brain.
Recently, a dear patient of our clinic requested that I write an article on this clinical condition. Her husband had su ered from it for
years before he passed. She just wanted a better understanding of this condition in order to come to terms with her loss.
I decided it would be appropriate for me to write a detailed guide. You are welcome to print this o and share it with people you think
this might help.
Alternatively, just click any of the buttons above and below this article and share it with your friends.
Okay, now let’s take a look at this condition.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease, or PD, was rst described by Dr James Parkinson in 1817 as ‘shaking palsy’. It has been described in Indian
literature a lot earlier than than.
In simple terms, Parkinson’s disease is a condition where certain cells in the brain cease to function normally. This results in a number of
symptoms which I have described later in the article.
In 2004, a door to door survey was conducted in Bangalore to nd out how many people had Parkinson’s. It was found that around 33
people per 1 lakh population su er from this problem.
Globally, it is estimated that there are around 10 million people who su er from this problem.
The primary problem in Parkinson’s disease is with a chemical compound in the brain called Dopamine in a part of the brain called the
substantia nigra.

Parkinson’s Disease. Cross-section of the human brain showing the substantia nigra, the region affected by Parkinson’s disease.
When produced in normal quantities, it helps control certain movements and actions that we perform on a day to day basis.
In PD however, the nerve cells (neurons) that produce dopamine fail to do so. This results in the clinical symptoms of the condition.
In addition to dopamine, there are other chemicals that may not be produced adequately. Once such example is norepinephrine. The
extra symptoms that are seen is due to the low levels of this chemical.
Why Does One Get Parkinson’s Disease?
So, what causes Parkinson’s Disease?
In nearly 80% of cases, there is no cause identi ed. This is called idopathic Parkinson’s Disease.

However, there are many other reasons why it might happen.
People who have poor blood supply to the brain, or those who have had a stroke in the past may develop PD.
Certain medicines prescribed for psychosis ( haloperidol, thiothixene, and risperidone) and for epilepsy may develop this condition as a
side e ect of long term use.
Exposure to environmental toxins may cause PD as well. However, this is quite rare.
The average age at which PD symptoms begin to appear is around 60 years. Less than 5% of patients present below the age of 40 years.
If a rst degree relative su ers from it, then you are at a 2-3 times greater chance of developing PD.
If one were to look at the physiology behind this condition, research would show
that the dopamine – p roducing nerve cells are affected. Normally, these cells
would lie in a segment of the brain called the substantia nigra.
Dopamine is a chemical that acts like a messenger in the brain. It helps coordinate and control all the movements we perform daily. Low
levels of dopamine can lead to slowness in movement and loss of coordination.
For the symptoms of PD to appear, at least 80% of the nerves that produce this chemical must be damaged. This means that patients
may only start to show symptoms when a large part of the brain is already a ected.
In addition to just low levels of dopamine, there is also an alteration in a brain protein called alpha-synuclein. This alteration makes this
protein a toxic one.

This ends up forming small Lewy bodies in the cells of the substantia nigra. The presence of these Lewy bodies in the brain is quite
typical of this condition.
Other chemicals such as norepinephrine may also be present in low quantities.

Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease
The table below lists the common risk factors for PD.
RISK FACTORS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
1. Advancing age – Individuals over the age of 60 are at a greater risk of developing this condition.
2. Gender – Men are more likely to develop PD compared to women.
3. Environmental factors – Pollutants in the air (cyanide, carbon disul de), the use of pesticides and chemicals; all increase the risk of
developing PD.
4. Genetics – If you have a family history of PD, then you are a 2-3 times greater risk of developing the condition.
5. High body mass index
6. Head injury (example is Mohammad Ali, the legendary boxer)
7. High cholesterol levels
Despite these risk factors, it is never really clear what causes this problem. There is still a lot of research ongoing in this area.
I have mentioned above that advancing age is a risk factor for PD. While most patients above 60 years are at a risk, there are other
forms of Parkinson’s that present at an earlier age.
Juvenile Parkinson’s Disease (rare) presents in individuals under the age of 21 years. Early onset PD is seen in people between 21 – 50
years.
Interestingly, smoking may lower the risk of the condition (that does not mean in any way that you take up smoking!). Ca eine intake is
also linked to lowering of risk. These associations are not strong.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
PD presents with a triad of symptoms – tremors, rigidity and bradykinesia. I will explain these a little later.
However, the early symptoms of PD are quite non-speci c.

For example, some patients may notice a change in their sense of smell. Constipation may be an early symptom as well. Disturbed sleep
is a problem sometimes.
These symptoms may precede the actual symptoms of PD by years.
Let’s have a look at the actual symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Tremors
This refers to a ne shaking of the arm, hand or jaw. It may also involve the tongue, lips, chin, and legs. It is present in 70 – 90% of
patients.
Typically, the tremor occurs when the patient is at rest and relaxed. It has been described as a ‘pill rolling’ tremor. The tremor
disappears when moving the a ected limb and during sleep. It may worsen when under stress.
A tremor can be the rst visible sign of PD. It generally a ects one half of the body. However, as the disease progresses, it may a ect
both sides.
When assessing the tremor, doctors will sometimes ask the patient to close their eyes and count down from 100 to 1. When doing this,
their mind is distracted and the tremor may become a lot more evident.
Rigidity
This refers to sti ness of the muscles of the arms or legs, and is seen in 80 – 90% of patients. When attempting to bend the arm, the
movement is in the pattern of a cog-wheel.
In other words, there is sti ness that does not allow smooth movement of the muscles when they are being exed.
This is called cog-wheel rigidity and is a classic sign of PD.
Bradykinesia
This refers to slowness of movement, and is seen in 80 – 90% of patients. The individual takes a lot longer to move and perform simple
tasks.
For example, the patient will get up from the chair a lot slower than normal.

Other Symptoms
There are some other signs of Parkinson’s disease that patients can express.
One such problem is with posture and balance. Individuals may begin to stoop over and may have problems maintaining balance in an
upright position due to this condition. Postural instability is seen in around 50% of patients within 5 years of diagnosis.
Another problem that they may notice is di culty with certain automatic movements. This includes blinking and arm swinging when
walking.
A change in the way the individual speaks may also be noticed. Example, there may be slurring of speech or even problems expressing
words.
A change in the handwriting of an individual may be one of the early signs of this condition. In particular, the handwriting may become
quite small. This is called micrographia.
When walking, patients may take short, small steps at a fast pace. This is called a ‘festinant’ gait. They tend to stop when there is an
obstacle right in front of them. However, they rarely fall due to this alone.
Excessive sweating may be a symptom. Some patients may develop urine retention in the bladder.
With advancing disease, the facial expression of the a ected person may change. In essence, it becomes expressionless or ‘masked’. This
is called hypomimia.
Early, Hidden Signs Of Parkinson’s Disease
There are certain signs that appear very early on that can be considered to be hidden clues for Parkinson’s disease.
For example, some individuals may notice pain in the shoulder or dragging of a leg that does not improve when steroid injections are
given. Di culty turning in bed may be noticed.
Some patients may develop a softness in their voice, making it inaudible over the phone.
The signs are subtle and can only be diagnosed by a neurologist. Please don’t jump to conclusions should you encounter anything like
this.

Stages of Parkinson’s disease
As Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition, it develops in stages. Clinically, there are ve stages that are present in the
progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Stage I
In stage I, the bottom of the brain i.e. the medulla is attacked by the clinical condition. Individuals begin to experience constipation and
may even lose their sense of smell. The symptoms can take place decades before the actual classic textbook symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease develop.
Stage II
In this stage, there is deterioration of the health of the nerves in the message centre of the brain i.e. the pons.
This leads to symptoms of depression and may even cause trouble sleeping. Rarely, people may even act out their dreams when they are
asleep and hurt themselves in the process.
Stage III
In this stage, the symptoms of tremors and a short shu ing walking pattern appear. This is because the part of the brain that is
responsible for movement is now a ected.
Stage IV and Stage V
This is the advanced level of Parkinson’s disease. Not only is their movement disorder a problem but also associated with this is memory
loss (dementia) and hallucinations.
Complications of Parkinson’s Disease
As I have already discussed in the article earlier, one complication of Parkinson’s disease is memory loss.

Some individuals may have problems remembering certain simple things and may also experience di culties making decisions.
Unfortunately, this change does not respond to medical therapy.
Clinical depression is a common complication and can worsen prognosis in individuals with PD. Consultation with a psychiatrist and
commencement of antidepressant medication may help the patient to some extent.
Dysphagia, or swallowing di culties, may become a problem. Not only that, there may be problems with the way the chewing muscles of
mouth work, making it di cult to eat food.
Over a period of time, the lack of su cient amount of food intake can lead to weight loss and overall weakness. Since swallowing
becomes hard, any saliva that is produced in the oral cavity may begin to drool out of the mouth.
Incontinence of urine and trouble controlling bladder function is a complication of this condition. Bowel issues such as constipation may
also occur.
Blood pressure changes may be noticed in advanced disease. Patients may experience a drop in blood pressure when standing up from a
sitting or lying position. This may lead to falls as well.
Sexual dysfunction may become a problem, with some patients losing their sexual drive.
Finally, sleep disturbances are extremely common in advanced Parkinson’s disease. Patients may wake up in the middle of the night and
begin walking around in a hallucinated state. Medication is required to help patients sleep in such a situation.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
There are no speci c tests that can help con rm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Neurologists diagnose this condition by evaluating the symptoms and eliciting the signs.
MRI scans, PET scans and similar studies bear little value in management of the condition. However, they may be performed to rule out
any other condition that is suspected.
Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease
Medical therapy in the form of tablets is the mainstay of treatment. There are also certain surgical treatments that may help relieve
symptoms. Unfortunately, the condition is progressive, and all the tablets do is control the symptoms and prolong life to some extent.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Medical Therapy
The medicines that are prescribed in the treatment of PD are primarily aimed at increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This in
turn can help control symptoms that are experienced by the patient.
The primary drug that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease is levodopa, also called L-Dopa.
As I have explained previously, this condition is typically characterised by low levels of the chemical ‘dopamine’ in the brain. By taking
dopamine supplements, the brain is replenished and symptoms can improve.

Sometimes, patients taking levodopa may also be given another drug called carbidopa. This additional medication can help reduce the
side e ects of levodopa therapy. In India, this combination is available as Syndopa.
The dose of levodopa is started at low levels to begin with and this is increased gradually as per the patient’s response. The medication
should never be stopped without seeking a doctor’s approval. If the medicines are stopped suddenly, patients may experience serious
side e ects such as entire body sti ness and sometimes even breathlessness.
Other medications that may be prescribed are mono-amino oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors. These are drugs that block the activity of an
enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. Similarly, another group of drugs called catecholamine 0-methyl
transferase (COMT) inhibitors may also be prescribed.
Generally, patients stabilise on one medication. However, as the disease progresses, they may require additional treatments.
Are there any side e ects?
In around 4% of patients, dopamine dysregulation syndrome may develop. This is a condition where patients become addicted to
treatments, leading to an increased use of medication when it has not been prescribed.
Around 15% of patients develop a condition called ‘punding‘ – a phenomenon where the individual begins to perform repetitive,
purposeless actions such as sorting out or disassembling objects.
Deep Brain Stimulation
This is a relatively new therapy where tiny electrodes are implanted in the brain and attached to a small electrical device that is
implanted in the chest.
This electrical device generates small electrical currents then go on to stimulate these parts of the brain where the electrodes are
implanted. This may stop some of the movement problems associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Generally, this therapy is reserved for patients who have good cognitive function, who respond well to levodopa and those under the age
of 70 years. Having a tremor resistant to treatment may require deep brain stimulation as well.
Deep brain stimulation therapy has its uses, and has been found to be as e ective as levodopa therapy at its best. Patients may notice a
sustained bene t for around 10 years or so. However, it is a costly procedure and has a few risks such as infections etc.

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy at an extremely important part in the management of PD.
By helping patients maintain independence, the disease becomes a lot more easier to handle. Physiotherapy has to be continued, and
evidence suggests that stopping physiotherapy may halt any progress.
Exercise is obviously good in keeping the patient active, but there is no evidence it improves the functioning of the brain.
Speech therapy has a role as well, helping improve voice quality.
There are a number of newer treatments being investigated for Parkinson’s Disease. However, they are very complex and are out of the
scope of this article. If you wish to read more, click here.
Information For Carers
Carers of patients with PD are usually family members, who rarely have the training needed to take care of the a ected individual.
At times, managing them can be quite frustrating. There are 2 reasons for this –

1. The constant need for attention and help can totally disrupt the life of the carer. They rarely get time for themselves.
2. Seeing someone they love su er gradually and over years can be heart-breaking as they feel helpless.
In the early stages, patients rarely require support and help. Medications do a good job controlling symptoms, and they are able to
perform almost all activities with reasonable independence.
However, patients who receive a diagnosis of PD may express a variety of emotions. This can range from anger to frustration and low
mood. ‘Why me?’ is something that they constantly ask, having lived a life by the rules.
As their carer, help them maintain a positive attitude. Emotional support of such patient goes a long way in helping them cope with the
changes they are experiencing.
Make sure you have a good knowledge of the medication the patient is taking. They may forget it, so remembering exactly what they are
taking and when they are taking it can help ensure they take their medicines on time and regularly.
Just because your loved one has now been diagnosed with PD does not mean the tow of you cannot do together what you enjoy. Make
sure you spend time together – have outings, spend a romantic evening together – anything is possible.
Try and maintain social connections and friendships. This will help o oad some of the stress you might be feeling caring for the patient.
It is important that your state of mind is good if you have to take care of a loved one with Parkinson’s Disease.
Closing Remarks
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive condition that can unfortunately rob the a ected patient of their dignity over years. However, there
are treatments available that can help keep symptoms under control and help maintain quality of life to some extent.
About
Latest Posts
Dr Vivek Baliga B
Dr Vivek Baliga is a consultant in Internal Medicine and Cardiology with an interest in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He received
his training in India and the UK where he completed his post graduate training and his doctorate. He then completed his MBA from
University of Phoenix, USA. He has completed the post graduate program in Cardiology from Johns Hopkins University and participated in
the Advanced Certi cate Course in Diabetes from the Cleveland Clinic, USA. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Lipid Management
from Middlesex University, UK. He is the managing partner of Baliga Diagnostics, Bangalore. He is also the founder of HeartSense and is
a keen advocate of patient empowerment, having written almost every article on this website and more. In his spare time, he enjoys
running and spending time with his son. Find Dr Vivek Baliga on LinkedIn here.

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