Jeremy Paxman uses a cane while attending the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards
Host Jeremy Paxman has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but what are the causes and symptoms, and how is it treated?
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects parts of the brain.
What are the symptoms?
The NHS says there are three main symptoms, including tremors or tremors, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating, and dizziness.
Some people may also experience lack of sleep, excessive saliva production, and trouble swallowing, leading to malnutrition and dehydration.
What are the first signs?
Symptoms begin gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in only one part of the body.
In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.
Speech can also become slurred or slurred, and the condition worsens over time.
What are the causes?
Scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease.
It occurs after a person experiences the loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.
However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition occurs.
Scientists say that genetics cause about 10 to 15% of Parkinson’s cases, and therefore it can run in families.
Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, although such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.
How is it diagnosed?
No test can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam.
A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or talk to check for common signs of the condition.
They can even check for difficulty in making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.
How many people are affected?
Around 145,000 people are living with Parkinson’s disease in the UK.
What if someone is diagnosed?
According to Parkinson’s UK, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA as a diagnosed person will need to undergo a medical or driving assessment.
The organization also advises people to contact any insurance provider and find out about available financial support.
People are also encouraged to engage in more exercise.
Can it be treated?
Although there is no cure, there are several treatments available to help reduce symptoms.
The three main remedies include medication, exercise, and therapy, which can help people in different ways.
What medications are available and what are the side effects?
Medicines can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors and movement problems.
There are three main types that are commonly used, levodopa, a dopamine agonist, or an MAO-B inhibitor.
Each can affect people in different ways.
The drugs have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behavior, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, and changes in blood pressure.
What therapy is available?
There are various therapies available for people with Parkinson’s through the NHS.
These include physical therapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help complete daily tasks, and speech and language training.
Does this change the way you live?
The life expectancy of most people will not change much, although more advanced symptoms can lead to further disability and health problems.
It can also cause some cognitive problems and changes in mood and mental health.
People with Parkinson’s are encouraged to exercise more frequently, and scientists say that 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.
Parkinson’s affects one in 500 people and causes muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, tremors, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, impaired quality of life and can lead to severe disability.
It is a progressive neurological condition that destroys cells in the part of the brain that controls movement.
Patients are known to have a reduced supply of dopamine because the nerve cells that produce it have died.
There is currently no cure or way to stop the progression of the disease, but hundreds of scientific trials are underway to try to change that.
The disease claimed the life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 2016.