Parkinson’s disease (named after a neurology pioneer who defined it in 1817) causes the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons, brain neurotransmitter that is key in controlling body movements. About it there are a series of myths (which should be deactivated) and a series of truths (which should be reinforced).
Myths
1) It is a disease typical of older people.
Although it is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease in people over 65 years of age (the first is Alzheimer’s disease), Parkinson’s It also occurs in younger peoplewhat is known as early-onset Parkinson’s (5 to 10% of total cases in those under 45 years of age) or juvenile (0.25% of the total in those under 21 years of age).
2) Tremors are the first warning sign.
Although tremor is the symptom most associated with the disease, it is usual that at its beginning it is actually expressed with aprogressive slowness to move around and perform daily tasks. Up to 20-30% of patients may not have tremor at any time during the disease. When it is present, it is very characteristic: it occurs during rest in a rhythmic and regular manner, and disappears with movement.
3) Any tremor is the main and first sign of Parkinson’s disease.
Important: Not everyone who trembles suffers from Parkinson’s, nor is every tremor Parkinson’s. There are many diseases that manifest with similar symptoms. For example, Essential Tremor is the most common movement disorder in adults, it is benign and its real prevalence is 20 times higher than that of PD. Frequently, certain hormonal disorders (such as hyperthyroidism) or the consumption of some medications (psychotropic drugs, beta blockers) can also cause tremor as a side effect.
4) Parkinson’s disease causes dementia, premature aging and impairs the intelligence of patients.
It is a common mistake to associate having difficulties and slowness in making certain movements and expressing oneself with dementia or cognitive deterioration. These problems may appear, but only in very advanced stages of the disease. (it has 5 degrees or stages), and affects attention, the speed of processing information, visuospatial functions, memory and language.
Thanks to scientific advances, the life expectancy of those affected by Parkinson’s is often equal to that of people who do not suffer from it.
5) It is a contagious and hereditary disease.
It is by no means a contagious disease and There have also been no documented cases of transmission from one generation to another.. Only 10-15% of patients have a family member with the disease, including close or distant relatives. When it appears at an early age (before the age of 40) the existence of some genetic mutation can be suspected.
The evidence in this sense is not conclusive, so it is not considered a valid option, either for prevention or treatment. However, Some research suggests that the risk of suffering from PD is lower in active smokers with a heavy and long-term history.. The biochemical bases of this possible preventive role are not well known, although two possible mechanisms are postulated: one, that some substance in cigarettes (nicotine or carbon monoxide) would have a protective effect that would promote the survival of the neurons that produce dopamine. Another, that it would alter the metabolic activity of certain enzymes that would reduce the production of toxic metabolites by the body itself.
Actress Helen Mirren revealed that she had Parkinson’s in 2014 and is active in the British Parkinson’s Association.6) It does not limit the performance of daily tasks.
People who suffer from PD, in 80% of cases, have partial or temporary difficulties to carry out their daily tasks and must make a greater effort to be able to sustain their normal life.
7) The only symptom is involuntary hand movements.
Perhaps the most common myth is to associate tremor with Parkinson’s but, in reality, the initial symptomatic picture that the patient presents is very florid and non-specific. The first symptoms are usually the following:
* Constipation and digestion problems due to slowing of intestinal function.
* Irritability, anxiety and especially depression.
* Nighttime sleep interrupted by sudden movements in bed. Dizziness when getting up from a chair, sofa or bed as a result of decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension).
* Changes in speech and a lower tone of voice.
*Handwritten writing with letters that become more angled and smaller (micrography).
8) The prognosis of the disease is serious and fatal.
Until 25 years ago it was considered one of the degenerative diseases of the Central Nervous System with the worst prognosis. However, pharmacological advances and new current and experimental treatments have changed this concept. It is shown that The life expectancy of those affected, in many cases, is equal to that of people who do not suffer from it..
9) Only men suffer from it.
Women can also suffer from Parkinson’s, although it is true that it is more common in men: of five people affected, 3 are men and 2 are women.
10) There is no really useful drug treatment.
Although it is true that there is still no pharmacological treatment that definitively cures the disease, current therapy reduces symptoms as much as possible and increases the time in which the patient carries out normal activity, improving their quality of life.
11) Treatment with levodopa is the only truly effective treatment.
Although it has been and is the standard and reference drug, in recent years others have been developed that, combined with levodopa, manage to increase clinical benefits and reduce adverse effects.
12) Supplements (both nutritional and herbal) and dietary therapies are effective.
Although they are usually at the top of the list of complementary therapies and despite persuasive theories about their effectiveness, there is no evidence of this. Some therapies have been studied only in test tubes or laboratory animals with little testing in humans. Most have produced disappointing results.
Perhaps the possibility of finding a definitive solution to the disease is not far away.
Truths
1) The causal and triggering factors of this disease are not exactly known.
Recent studies suggest that certain viruses, solvents and pesticides can induce the appearance of the disease. For example, PD is more common in rural workers than in the urban population.
2) A proper diet can improve the patient’s condition.
It is advisable to keep in mind the most convenient nutrients: fats of vegetable origin (avocado), those present in white meat and in some varieties of fish (hake, sole, cod, haddock, among others), vegetables and fruits of intense colors, walnuts, almonds and dairy.
Ultra-processed foods should be avoidedfried foods, organ meats, cured or smoked meats and sugars, especially simple ones (pastry, industrial juices, white sugar).
A protein redistribution diet (accumulating most of the proteins at dinner) or drinking plenty of fluids can improve the patient’s symptoms.. Some foods are harmless and may help (coffee, green tea).
The musician Ozzy Osbourne has suffered from it since 2000 and revealed it in 2020.3) Depression is common.
It can occur in 30-50% of patients during the course of the disease.
4) Some patients dance better than they walk.
Although it may be surprising, dancing stimulates motor and sensory areas of the brain that facilitate balance and coordination of movements, making it a good therapeutic resource. Furthermore, in a few minutes, a patient can go from a state of immobility to performing all types of movements. Sudden motor fluctuations (said to be in ON/OFF mode) are frequent and worsen with certain medications.
5) Lack of compliance with pharmacological treatment is the main cause of therapeutic failure.
As in all diseases, the most ineffective drug is the one that is not taken. Treatment with medication must be complemented with other resources. Physiotherapy, psychological treatment, support for family members, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy are essential tools that facilitate the recovery and well-being of patients.
5) Are there surgical treatments?
Yes: Deep Brain Stimulation is similar to placing a pacemaker in the brain that painlessly sends electrical signals, helping to block the signals that cause many of the motor symptoms of the disease.
Only 10% of patients obtain some benefit, keeping in mind that it is not a curative surgery, but rather it relieves some symptoms. One condition is that they have had a good response to the medication. On the contrary, in those who have instability or falls the results are poor.
6) And stem cells?
This treatment is in experimentation stage and appears as a possible future alternative, but is not currently available.
In conclusion, it should be noted that technological, scientific and health advances are providing a higher quality of life to Parkinson’s patients. Perhaps the possibility of finding a definitive solution for the disease is not far off, as long as knowledge about it continues to deepen.
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