Understanding Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson's?

Parkinson's is a neurological condition caused by a lack of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a chemical that sends messages to the brain to direct thinking and movement. As dopamine levels drop, the body will find it increasingly difficult to send messages to the brain, leading to symptoms of Parkinson's.

What causes Parkinson's?

Researchers cannot say for sure exactly what the root cause of Parkinson's is, but they have been able to narrow it down to a combination of three factors:

Age

The nerve cells that create dopamine can often die as we age, which is why Parkinson's is a progressive disease. As we age and the more nerve cells we lose, the greater the symptoms of Parkinson's become.

Genetics

Although it is rare for Parkinson's to be passed through a family, it is still possible that genetics could have something to do with the development of Parkinson's.

Environment

Researchers say that some environmental factors such as toxins could be responsible for Parkinson's.

What are the symptoms?

There are many symptoms of Parkinson's, and every person will have a different experience with Parkinson's, but some of the most common symptoms include:

• Tremors (shakes)
• Stiffness of limbs
• Slowness of movement
• Issues with memory and thinking
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleeping problems

Is there a cure?

Although there is not yet a cure for Parkinson's, there are three main methods of treatment for the symptoms and day-to-day management of Parkinson's. These are:

• Drugs, that can be prescribed by your GP;
• Physical activity that can help alleviate pain associated with Parkinson's;
• Therapy, to help someone cope with living with Parkinson's.

What help is available?

At Bluebird Care Wakefield and Kirklees, we deliver person-centred care to adults in their own homes. Our care professionals are trained to the highest possible standards and are fully qualified to support with an erray of day-to-day activities, including household chores and cleaning, personal care, assisting with medication, and even companionship outings for those who just want a friendly face to chat to.

We are also an award-winning service that has helped customers living with both mental and physical health problems such as Parkinson's, Dementia, and learning difficulties.

For more information on how we can help, please contact our friendly office team.

We hope this article helps those caring for people with Parkinson's to understand the disease, and we hope you now know what signs you should look out for if you suspect your loved-one has Parkinson's.

For a deeper understanding of Parkinson's, visit Parkinsons.org.