- Parkinson’s is considered one of the most frequent neurological disorders in Mexico and the rest of the world.
- To date there is no cure, although treatments have been developed for its care.
- World Parkinson’s Day is commemorated every April 11.
In Mexico and the world, approximately one percent of the population aged 60 years and over comes to suffer from Parkinson’s disease. In general terms, the main risk factor for developing it is age, so its incidence increases as the years go by, says Luis Delgado Reyes, an academic from the UNAM School of Medicine.
Figures from the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery reveal that “it ranks third in frequency among neurological diseases. It is considered that there are 150 to 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year in various parts of the world; in Mexico, 50 out of every 100,000 inhabitants may suffer from it.”
In addition to motor alterations, they come to present changes in the autonomic nervous system that regulates heart rate, blood pressure, urinary function and the digestive tract; likewise, cognitive deterioration, variation in mood, depression and anxiety.
On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Day, which is commemorated every April 11, details that it is a disease that is classified as degenerative of the central nervous system; that is to say, that neurons begin to be lost for reasons still unknown.
Disease more common in men than in women
The prevalence is higher in males than in females. It is not known if estrogens have a protective effect for women. More than 10 genes related to the disease have also been described, but they have not been found to be determinants. In addition, 10 to 15 percent of patients have a family history of the condition and 85 to 90 percent develop it without any history.
The brain cells that are lost produce an important neurotransmitter: dopamine. That substance that communicates to neurons is largely generated in the brain stem; However, those who have this degenerative disease, as the years go by, there is a smaller number of neurons that produce dopamine.
main symptoms
Dopamine-influenced nerve centers regulate much of a person’s automatic movements: swallowing reflex, blinking, walking, swinging of the limbs to maintain balance, and so on. The facial expression, which we can modify according to our mood, is also lost.
In the same way, the stereotyped movements that required our concentration when we learned them are altered, but after practicing them they are carried out almost automatically, such as walking.
Parkinson’s begins with a characteristic tremor in one hand, it is fine, like a “money counter” or “pirinola”, which is associated with decreased automatic movements, called bradykinesia. Generally the patient describes it as a weakness, but in reality dexterity is lost, for example to tie shoelaces. That is what incapacitates them the most.
“It is important to clarify that not all tremors are the same as Parkinson’s disease, but if a person presents these abnormal movements, they should see a doctor immediately to do the corresponding tests.”
It is common for him to begin to have a trunk flexion posture and for his gait to be in small steps, shuffling his feet, and without swinging his arms. Some complain of drooling at night or drooling. His eyes feel irritated because his blinking is slowing down, the specialist lists.
The face becomes indifferent, inexpressive, and the language decreases in its intensity, it is monotonous, without accentuation, and sometimes it is difficult to understand him. Meanwhile, the writing becomes smaller and smaller, and as the disease progresses, it is no longer legible, not even his signature.
Parkinson’s has no cure
Although it is incurable, medical science has advanced and there are important pharmacological and non-pharmacological tools. The first, mainly levodopa -a substance that precedes dopamine- is used when gait problems and movement disorders affect daily activity.
If there are still no limitations, the treatment refers to the lifestyle: avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, having physical activity (aerobic, elasticity, tai chi, yoga, stationary bicycle), balanced diet and sleeping well, in addition to avoiding the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
Each case is different and the patient must adapt to their new living conditions and limitations. “This condition is like getting old; an older adult would like to have the same agility as a young person, but he should not be sad, but rather adapt to his new physical and mental conditions, and try to live happily and be as useful as possible. In this sense, I would tell patients not to fight the disease, and family members to focus on supporting them and thinking about that human being who is still with us”.
In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed April 11 as World Parkinson’s Day. This date coincides with the anniversary of the birth of James Parkinson, a British neurologist who in 1817 discovered what he called agitating palsy at the time.
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