World Parkinson’s Day is commemorated every year on April 11 to raise awareness about the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.
It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide live with progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when nerve cells in the basal ganglia of the brain responsible for movements become impaired or die. When these nerve cells deteriorate, they lose their ability to produce an important brain chemical called dopamine often referred to as the “feel good” hormone.
Risk factors
Although the exact cause of the disease is still unknown, scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors work together to determine the onset of the disease.
About 15% of people with Parkinson’s disease have a family history of the condition
Several studies have shown that environmental factors, including pesticides, air pollution, and industrial solvents, could increase the risk of the disease
The risk of PD increases with age, although younger people can be affected as well
Men are 1.5 times more likely to be affected than women
Repeated injuries to the head can increase one’s risk of developing the condition
Early symptoms
1. Tremor– The involuntary rhythmic shaking happens when the muscles are still which usually goes away with movement. The tremors often start in the fingers or hands with what’s called a pill-rolling motion and can spread to both sides of the body. However, several other health issues, like multiple sclerosis can also cause tremors.
2. Dystonia– Stiffness or cramping in a muscle or limb is an early sign of Parkinson’s disease although stiffness can be caused by many other conditions. The patients may experience pain in the muscles that restrict their movements.
3. Loss of automatic movements– Certain changes in the ability to perform unconscious movements like blinking, smiling, or swinging arms while walking can be a sign of Parkinson’s Disease.
4. Stooped posture– Impaired posture and balance issues are common signs of PD.
5. Changes in writing– Writing may become a difficult task and the handwriting usually becomes small and cramped as the disease progresses.
6. Speech changes– Most people with Parkinson’s tend to talk slowly, but some might speak rapidly and stutter. People also experience words getting mumbled or trailed off at the end of a sentence.
7. Slowed movement– Doing simple tasks like getting up from a chair may become difficult and time-consuming. The condition may slow the movements and the steps become shorter while walking.
Treatment
Parkinson’s disease is incurable. However, several treatment therapies focus on slowing the progression of the disease and ensuring a good quality of life for the patients.
Doctors may prescribe medications such as Levodopa to control tremors. When the medications fail to work, some patients opt for a surgical procedure called deep-brain stimulation. During the procedure, a small current is passed with high frequency through areas of the brain that blocks motor function. The success rate of the treatment is 90% in decreasing or getting rid of Parkinson’s tremors.
Common misconceptions
Myth 1: Parkinson’s only affects movements
Although tremors and slowness of movements are the most common signs of the disease in earlier stages, patients also exhibit nonmotor symptoms like cognitive decline, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems in the later stages of the disease.
Myth 2: Parkinson’s patients cannot take care of themselves
Only patients in the later stages of the disease may require full or partial assistance while many patients can take care of themselves till the condition progresses.
Myth 3:The medications for Parkinson’s cause symptoms
The most popular misconception about Parkinson’s is that levodopa is toxic and causes the condition to progress faster. However, a large clinical study proved that levodopa helps slow the progression of the disease or has a prolonged effect on the symptoms of the disease.
Myth 4: Parkinson’s is fatal
The disease itself is not fatal like a stroke or heart attack. However, as the disease progresses, patients may become more vulnerable to falls and infections.
Myth 5: The disease has flare-ups and then goes away
Parkinson’s progresses with time. It does not disappear sporadically like many other conditions that have flare-ups and goes away.
Typical Parkinson’s symptoms include hand tremors and movement problems, though it has been difficult to pinpoint a single cause for the neurodegenerative disease. Pixabay, public domain
Long days of work, lack of sleep, and stress at the office can be the most common factors that make you feel tired. However, feeling “tired all the time” (TATT) without known reasons can be an indication of an underlying health issue that needs immediate attention.
Finding the exact cause of the lingering tiredness can be the first step toward solving the symptom.
Health conditions that cause fatigue:
1. Anemia – Anemia is one of the most common causes of fatigue. A person who has anemia does not have enough red blood cells in the body, causing symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, feeling cold and crankiness.
Most often, anemia is caused by iron deficiency. Hence, the condition can be best resolved by including iron-rich foods in the diet and use of iron supplements.
2. Sleep Apnea – It causes the body to stop breathing momentarily during sleep. The condition can affect the quality of sleep and hence make you feel fatigued.
For milder cases of sleep apnea, lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking can help solve the sleep disorder. In more severe cases where there is an obstruction in breathing, surgeries and therapies can help.
3. Diabetes – A person who has diabetes has changes in blood sugar level, which can cause fatigue. A patient who is already on diabetic medication can also experience tiredness as a side effect of the medication.
Early identification and taking the correct treatment is the key to managing diabetes. Losing extra weight and having a healthy diet also help in the treatment.
4. Thyroid – Thyroid diseases can be due to an overactive or an underactive thyroid gland. In people who have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the metabolism slows down leading to symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue. In people with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), the metabolism speeds up leading to fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
Right diet and lifestyle choices, along with medications, can help in thyroid management.
5. Infections – A person can show symptoms of fatigue when the body is fighting a viral or bacterial infection. Infections ranging from the flu to HIV can cause tiredness.
Along with fatigue, other symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, shortness of breath and appetite loss can also accompany the infection. Treating the symptoms and taking adequate rest helps in faster recovery.
6. Food allergies – Fatigue may be an early warning sign of hidden food allergies and autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease. Identifying the allergen using a food allergy test or through an elimination diet can help in allergy treatment.
7. Heart disease – If you feel exhausted from an activity that used to be easy, then it is good to check your heart health, as fatigue can be an indication of underlying heart disease.
8. Depression/ anxiety – Fatigue can also be an indicator of a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. A combination of medication and psychotherapy can help relieve symptoms.
Lifestyle causes
Apart from serious health conditions, certain lifestyle habits such as dehydration, poor diet, stress and insufficient sleep can cause exhaustion. Having a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and routine sleep can help solve fatigue caused by lifestyle habits.
Picture this: you’re burning the midnight oil, studying or binge-watching your favorite shows, all at the expense of a good night’s sleep. Have you ever stopped to think about the toll it takes on your body and mind? The consequences can be more serious than you might realize.
Not getting enough sleep can translate into a multitude of issues, including weight gain, lack of focus, tiredness, a haze of confusion, and even depression. If you too are encountering similar issues lately then chances are you have a sleep debt.
Wondering what is sleep debt?
People from 13-18 years of age need 8 hours of sleep, whilst adults beyond that age will require at least 7 hours of snooze.
Sleep debt is a collection of the total hours you haven’t slept or traded your sleep for something else. Sleep debt keeps piling up as a person falls short of the total hours of sleep recommended for an adult, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And when you keep letting go of your sleep for other activities, the body adapts to the new normal and effects start to reflect on the energy levels, which deplete.
“However, like every other debt out there, this too has a repayment option,” Dr. Kunal Kumar, medical director of the Sleep Center at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, told Livestrong.
Below are some expert-vetted ways you can pay back the sleep debt. (Courtesy: Livestrong and Sleepfoundation)
Just like financial debt, imagine sleep debt as a debt you owe to your body. It needs to be repaid. The good news is that catching up on sleep is indeed possible.
Maintain a set sleep schedule: Overhauling the sleep schedule is a pretty difficult task to achieve, and it’s best to do that gradually. Create a set sleep schedule by making some small changes to your routine. Instead of making abrupt shifts in your bedtime or wake-up time, adjust them gradually by 15 to 30-minute increments.
Minimize your gadget usage: Wind down activities and minimize electronic usage before bed to promote better sleep. Relax and prepare for quality sleep by dimming the lights and setting an alarm for 30 minutes to an hour before bed.
Reshuffle your sleeping arrangements: Are you finding it hard to get a good night’s sleep due to excessive sweating? Well, here’s a handy solution: consider upgrading to a cooling mattress or opting for cooling sheets. These innovative sleep essentials can help regulate your body temperature, and keep you comfortably cool throughout the night, ensuring a more blissful slumber. Memory foam pillows can work wonders in relieving neck and back discomfort in case you are struggling with backache.
Improve the bedroom environment: Create a sleep-friendly bedroom environment by adjusting the temperature for comfort, and blocking out disruptive lights, or noises that might disturb your restful slumber. And if your mattress, pillow, or sheets are worn out or no longer providing the support you need, consider treating yourself to new ones.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for a range of health benefits, from promoting brain and heart health to reducing inflammation and protection against several chronic conditions.
In a new study, researchers found that omega-3 acids, especially the type found in foods like flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds, canola oil and soybean oil, can slow down the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
It is a debilitating nervous system disease that gradually worsens over time and can be fatal. The condition results in a loss of muscle control and affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it.
The initial symptoms of the disease include muscle weakness, difficulty in walking and hand movements. The symptoms can slowly progress to difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
The exact cause of ALS is not known. However, around 10% of people get it from a risk gene passed down from a family member. It is estimated that more than 32,000 people in the U.S. live with the condition.
In the latest study, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Massachusetts evaluated 449 people living with ALS in a clinical trial. The team assessed the severity of their symptoms, the progression of their disease, along with the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, for 18 months.
The study suggested that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 found in plants, is particularly beneficial in slowing the progression of ALS. The participants with the highest levels of ALA had a 50% reduced risk of death during the study period compared to those with the lowest levels of ALA.
Researchers also found a reduction in death risk in participants who had eicosapentaenoic acid, the type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and fish oil, and linoleic acid found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
A previous study conducted by the same team suggested that a diet high in ALA and higher blood levels of the nutrient could reduce the risk of developing the condition.
“In this study, we found that among people living with ALS, higher blood levels of ALA were also associated with a slower disease progression and a lower risk of death within the study period. These findings, along with our previous research suggest that this fatty acid may have neuroprotective effects that could benefit people with ALS,” said Kjetil Bjornevik, the lead author of the study.
