WHAT IS PARKINSON’S?

Our health writer, Jackie Mitchell, on this neurological condition.

IT’S World Parkinson’s Day on April 11 and Parkinson’s Awareness Month, heightening awareness for this neurological condition affecting around 153,000 people in the UK.

Parkinson’s is a progressive condition that develops when the cells in the brain responsible for producing the chemical dopamine have stopped working.

Dopamine plays an important role in our body’s movements.

“We don’t know exactly why these cells die, but factors such as genetics, environment and lifestyle may all contribute to someone’s likelihood of developing the condition,” Rowan Wathes from Parkinson’s UK says.

The most common symptoms include tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement, although they can include pain, anxiety and insomnia.

It can be beneficial to keep a diary of symptoms which can be brought to medical appointments.

If you think you or someone close to you has Parkinson’s, consult your GP who will refer you to a specialist.

“The specialist will take a detailed medical history and examine the patient,” Rowan says. “They may recommend a scan, such as a dopamine transporter scan (DATSCAN), to help make the diagnosis.”

Although there is no cure yet, Parkinson’s UK is funding research to uncover risk factors and understand the root causes of the condition.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have developed a test that could help diagnose Parkinson’s using a simple skin swab. The test looks for changes in the sebum, the oily layer that protects the skin.

The next step will be developing it to be used in a clinical setting.

“Some people with Parkinson’s will start taking medication on diagnosis, while others may choose to delay treatment because their symptoms are under control,” Rowan explains.

Patients may be prescribed a single drug or a combination of drugs. They work either by increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain, acting as a dopamine substitute, or by blocking the breakdown of dopamine.

Physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy can also be beneficial.

“Moderate to vigorous exercise of at least one hundred and fifty minutes a week can help people live well with the condition. A common symptom of Parkinson’s is muscle weakness. Strength and balance training increases muscle mass and bone mineral density, which means there is a lower risk of falls,” Rowan adds.

There is no specific diet that should be followed, although it’s important to maintain as healthy a diet as possible.

Eating a balanced diet will improve health and may ease problems such as constipation, low mood, reduced bone density and weight changes.

For World Parkinson’s Day, Parkinson’s UK is encouraging people to “Make It Blue” – dye your hair blue, sell blue cakes or wear blue.

Visit parkinsons.org.uk for more information or call the helpline on 0808 800 0303.