Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is the degeneration of the nervous system that causes the deterioration of some parts of the brain. In this disease, a person has slowed or restricted movements, tremors, and balance issues. It is the second most common age-related degenerative brain disease in the world. Approximately, it affects 1% of 60+ age people worldwide.

It is mostly an age-related disease, which means it is mostly diagnosed in old-age people. However, this doesn’t mean that it only affects them. Parkinson’s disease has been diagnosed in people who are in their early twenties too! It has been observed that this disease affects more men than women.

In this disease, a specific part of the brain known as ‘basal ganglia’ deteriorates. In a perfectly healthy body, the brain uses neurotransmitters to control how your brain cells function and communicate with each other. Parkinson’s disease restricts the release of dopamine which is a very important neurotransmitter. And this results in slowed movements and tremors. With time, the conditions deteriorate even more.

Causes Of Parkinson’s Disease

It is still not known what exactly causes Parkinson’s. However, with continued research, some factors that can contribute to this disease are found. 

• Genetics 

A number of genetic factors can be the cause of this disease. This disease can run in the family because of faulty genes and be passed on to future generations. This is very rare (10% cases) but still believed.

• Environmental Factors

This observation hasn’t been fully proven but it is believed that the use of pesticides and herbicides in farming, manganese dust, carbon monoxide, fumes from welding, traffic, and industrial pollution can contribute to the condition.

• Medications

Certain medications (drug-induced parkinsonism), such as antipsychotic medications can cause Parkinson’s effects. However, these effects go away after some time when you stop taking them.

• Encephalitis

Encephalitis is the condition where brain inflammation is seen, this in some cases can cause Parkinson’s disease.

• Cerebrovascular Disease

In this, a series of small strokes cause several parts of the brain to die.

• Damage From Injuries

If one gets multiple head injuries due to accidents, high-impact sports like football or hockey can also contribute to this.

Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease

Main Symptoms

• Tremor: Shaking of hands or arms, especially when your limbs are at rest.
• Muscle rigidity: Stiffness and tension in muscles. Difficulty in making facial expressions.
• Slowness of movement: Difficulty and slowness in doing daily activities such as walking.

Other Symptoms

Physical

• Balance problems
• Loss of sense of smell
• Nerve pain (sensations like burning, coldness, numbness)
• Frequent or unintentional urination
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Swallowing difficulties
• Drooling
• Sleeping problems
• Blurred vision
• Fainting

Cognitive and psychiatric 

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Mild cognitive impairment 

Diagnosis Of Parkinson’s Disease

There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. Your doctor will diagnose Parkinson’s disease on the basis of your symptoms, medical history, and a detailed physical examination. 

The doctor will ask you about the problems that you are facing and relate them to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. He/she may ask you to perform simple tasks like moving, walking, holding items, etc.

The doctor will diagnose Parkinson’s disease if you have two or more of these symptoms:

• Shaking or tremors of your limbs especially when at rest.
• Slowness of movement.
• Muscle stiffness or rigidity.

In some cases, a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is commonly used to see if any of these symptoms have other causes than Parkinson’s disease. Other lab tests like computerized tomography (CT) scan, genetic testing, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan can also be conducted for the same.

Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease

As of now, Parkinson’s disease is not curable. Doctors treat patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease on the basis of their symptoms. They treat to ease their symptoms. However, in the early stage of Parkinson’s disease, not much treatment is needed as the symptoms are mild.

Medications 

• Levodopa 
• Dopamine agonists
• Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors
• catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors

Supportive Therapies

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy

Deep Brain Stimulation

Effects Of Parkinson’s Disease

There are several effects of Parkinson’s disease that make it difficult for a person living with it.

• Speaking difficulty 
• Difficulty in chewing and swallowing food
• Depression and anxiety
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleeping problems (excess sleeping)
• Urinary issues (more often urination)
• Constipation
• Muscle cramps
• High or low blood pressure
• Loss in the sense of smell

Food To Eat In Parkinson’s Disease

Not only medications and therapies can help in improving the condition of Parkinson’s disease. A proper diet can also prove to be fruitful in these cases. The best food items to eat when a person is suffering from Parkinson’s disease are as follows:

• Nuts:
  • Walnuts
  • Brazil nuts
  • Pistachios 
• Berries:
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cranberries
  • Goji berries
• Green leafy vegetables:
  • Spinach
  • Kale 
• Other vegetables:
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant 
• Fava/broad beans
• Omega-3 rich foods:
  • Salmon
  • Oysters
  • Soybeans
  • Flaxseeds
  • Kidney beans 
• Iron-rich foods:
  • Spinach
  • Tofu 
• Vitamin B1-rich foods:
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Peas 
• Zinc-rich foods:
  • Whole grains
  • Red meat
  • Chicken 
• Vitamin D-rich foods:
  • Tuna fish 
  • Fortified dairy products
  • Cod liver oil

Foods To Avoid In Parkinson’s Disease

There are certain foods that can worsen a patient’s condition. It is better to be cautious of what a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease consumes. There is a list of food items that are harmful to these patients.

• Processed foods:
  • Canned foods
  • Chips
  • Ready to eat meals
  • Breakfast cereals 
  • Sodas
  • Sweets and candies
• Dairy products:
  • Milk (especially skimmed and low-fat)
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese
• Food items with saturated fats
• Hard to chew food

Prevention Of Parkinson’s Disease

There is no such specific suggestion for the prevention of Parkinson’s disease. The reason behind this is that the actual cause of Parkinson’s disease is still unknown. But we can still formulate some prevention tips based on the profiles of Parkinson’s disease patients.

• Eat organic food. It has been found that Parkinson’s patients have a high level of pesticides and herbicides in them than that of a normal person. Also, farmers/agricultural workers have reported more cases of Parkinson’s disease than anyone else.

• People who eat less amount of food items that have folic acid fall prey to this disease more often. So remember to consume it more.

• Vitamin D is like an elixir for people suffering from this disease. Without it, your body can not absorb calcium and phosphorus which is essential for body functionality. Also, it boosts immunity which is a major one for this disease.

• Green tea has myriad protective benefits on the neural network of the brain. Green tea has also been shown to sustain dopamine levels in ailing brain tissue, reducing the severity of Parkinson’s symptoms for those already diagnosed.

• We can not stress enough how much regular aerobic exercise is essential for the prevention of Parkinson’s disease. It helps immensely in reducing the inflammation in the brain and improves overall cognitive health.

This was all about Parkinson’s disease. Hope you all have gained some knowledge about this. Don’t forget to care for your elder ones when they need you the most. Notice the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and get tested. Also, follow the diet that we have recommended after consultation with your doctor/nutritionist once. Happy Healing!