Parkinson’s disease has been the fastest growing brain disease worldwide for several years now. More than 63,000 Dutch people are affected by it, including a striking number of people in their thirties and forties. Why is Parkinson’s disease becoming more prevalent? And how can you recognize the symptoms early?
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease owes its name to the British physician James Parkinson, who first described the syndrome in 1817. It is a chronic brain disorder in which nerve cells die at an accelerated rate. This causes your brain to produce less dopamine. And that is problematic, because dopamine is released during pleasure and is important for your daily movements.
What are the best known symptoms of Parkinson’s?
Difficulty moving and reduced muscle control are important consequences of the disease. This translates into, among other things, shaking hands, reduced motor skills, difficulty speaking and balance problems. In addition, Parkinson’s disease can have not only physical, but also mental consequences. Think of memory loss, depression and sleep problems.
Which lesser-known symptoms can help you recognize the disease early?
Motor problems and hand trembling are well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. But these are mainly the visible symptoms, which sometimes only come to the surface after the disease has been dormant subcutaneously in the body for years. “And when the diagnosis comes, almost 70 percent of the dopamine area is already destroyed,” says neurologist Bas Bloem of the Nijmegen Radboudumcacross the NRC. According to him, constipation (due to slower functioning intestines), a reduced sense of smell and restless sleep can be the first signs. This also applies to mood problems, impulsive behavior and slowed thinking.
Also read: Doctor Ted about Parkinson’s: “From 55,000 to 63,000 cases in the Netherlands in 11 years”
Why are more and more Dutch people suffering from Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s often surfaces later in life, when brain function is already deteriorating. But there is also a striking increase among younger people. Bloem and other experts point to exposure to pesticides and other pesticides, often used by farmers and gardeners. “And air pollution in the broadest sense of the word. All linked to Parkinson’s,” he says NRC. It is not without reason that James Parkinson discovered the disease in the early 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing in England. “The insights are growing every day that Parkinson’s is actually a lifestyle disease. The disease did not or hardly occur before 1817,” said Bloem in the talk show Op1.
Can anything be done about it?
The most radical method for combating Parkinson’s is brain surgery. In addition, you can slow down the symptoms of the disease by taking medication. For example, the use of the drug levodopa stimulates the production of dopamine. In addition, a healthy lifestyle can help, consisting of sufficient exercise and a balanced diet. The Parkinson Fund recommends consuming sufficient vegetables, fruit, carbohydrates and proteins. And to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, against possible constipation.
(Source: Archive, Parkinson Fund Foundation, RadboudUMC, Dutch Brain Foundation, VUmc, Algemeen Dagblad, Thuisarts, NRC, Op1. Photo: Shutterstock)
2023-10-04 04:03:37
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