Hidden Signs Of Parkinson Disease You Should Know

Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes the brain to become progressively more damaged over time, said the NHS.

It’s caused by a loss of nerve cells in a specific part of the brain. These nerve cells are used to help send messages between the brain and the nervous system.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms tend to develop gradually, and only appear as mild at first.

One of the more common signs of Parkinson’s disease is constipation, it’s been revealed.

Frequently feeling constipated is a common warning symptom of Parkinson’s disease, according to charity The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research.

But, how are you supposed to know if you’re constipated? You’re likely to be constipated if you haven’t had a poo at least three times in a single week, added the NHS.

Your stool may also be difficult to push out, or larger than usual, it said.

The charity said: “Constipation is common in Parkinson's disease. Fibre-Rich foods and fluids may ease symptoms of constipation.

“People with a history of constipation may be at increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease down the road.

“Chronic constipation is common among people who suffer from Parkinson's and it has been suggested that constipation may precede the appearance of classic movement symptoms of the disease in some people.”

Parkinson's disease symptoms: Signs of brain condition include constipation (Image: GETTY Images)

The NHS added: “It’s likely to be constipation if the poo is often dry, hard or lumpy.

“However, it's not unusual for a breastfeeding baby to go a week without having a poo.”

Despite its link to Parkinson’s disease, constipation is very common and affects most people at some point in their lifetime.

It can usually be treated at one with simple diet changes, including eating more fruit, vegetables or cereals.

But, you should speak to a doctor if your symptoms aren’t improving with treatments, or if you’re regularly constipated and it lasts a long time.

Parkinson's disease symptoms: Signs include slow movement and stiffness (Image: GETTY Images)

Some of the most common Parkinson’s disease symptoms include tremors, slow movement and unusual stiffness.

Most patients start to develop their symptoms after they turn 50 years old, and men are slightly more at risk than women.

Speak to a GP if you’re worried about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, said the NHS.

They may ask you about your symptoms, and could refer you to a specialist for further tests.

There are around 127,000 people in the UK with Parkinson’s disease. That’s about one in every 500 people.

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Insomnia May up Risk of Parkinson's Disease in Men

Do you lack a restful sleep and are in the habit of hitting or kicking in your sleep? Beware, according to a study, this could be a sign of a disorder associated with Parkinson's disease, especially in men.

The rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder or RBD, which most often affects persons aged 50-70, and more frequently in men than women, is characterized by disturbances in the part of sleep where dreams take place.

While healthy people are relaxed and lie still during dream sleep, people suffering from RBD live out their dreams and during sleep, they hit, kick and shout.

The study, published in the journal The Lancet Neurology, showed that men with RBD lack dopamine -- a chemical in the brain that affects emotions, movements and sensations of pleasure and pain -- and have a form of inflammation of the brain.

As a result, their risk of developing Parkinson's disease or dementia when they grow older increases. Parkinson's disease occurs precisely because the group of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine stop working.

"These patients have an inflammation of the brain in the area where the dopamine-producing nerve cells are found," said Morten Gersel Stokholm from Aarhus University in Denmark.

Researchers were not previously aware that there is a form of inflammation of the brain in patients who are at risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

"The findings would be used to determine which patients with the sleep disorder will later develop Parkinson's disease. At the same time, this can also help to develop drugs which can stop or slow the development of the diseases," Stokholm explained.

In this study, patients with RBD and no clinical evidence of Parkinson's and cognitive impairment were recruited from tertiary sleep centres in Spain and Denmark and their brain changes were analysed using Positron emission tomography (PET).

SOURCE: IBITIMES

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