How does Parkinson’s disease work?
The disease is progressive: complaints often start gradually, usually on one side and typically increase over time, in completely random order. Early symptoms that were already Parkinson’s afterwards are a tired and weak feeling, difficulty with writing (a smaller and more unclear handwriting), a vibration in the arm, a foot that suddenly ‘closes’.
The development of the disease – speed and symptoms – differs per person. With the right treatment, which is always adjusted over the years, the complaints are often reasonably controllable. This does not alter the fact that the disease has a major impact on daily life.
Parkinson’s disease affects people in different ways, as a result of which a large number of symptoms can be identified. Although the symptoms may be mild or severe, common or uncommon, Parkinson’s disease appears to have five different stages.
The turnaround time of each stage varies, and skipping the stages from the first phase to stage three, for example, is not uncommon.
The 5 stages of Parkinson’s disease
Phase 1
During this first phase of the disease, the patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms can cause discomfort in daily tasks. Typical symptoms are the presence of vibrations or the shaking of the limbs. During the first stage, friends and family usually detect changes in the patient with Parkinson’s, such as poor posture, loss of balance and abnormal facial expression.
Phase 2
In the second stage of Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms are bilateral. The coordination of limbs on both sides of the body is more difficult. The patient experiences problems with walking or maintaining balance and the inability to complete normal physical tasks becomes clearer.
Phase 3
At this stage, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease become serious. Patients can no longer walk or stand up. There is a noticeable delay in the physical movements in the third phase.
Phase 4
At this stage of the disease, serious symptoms of Parkinson’s manifest themselves. Walking is still just going, but it is often limited, and the stiffness and slowness of the movements are visible. During this phase, most patients are no longer able to do the daily tasks and can no longer live independently. The trembling and shaking from the first phases, however, decreases during this phase. It is unknown until now what this is.
Phase 5
In the final phase of Parkinson’s disease, the disease takes over the physical movements of the patient. The patient is usually unable to take care of himself and is unable to stand or walk during this phase. A patient in phase five usually requires constant one-to-one nursing care.
Parkinson’s disease usually does not lead to admission to a nursing or care home, in the start, you can order Modalert online, that really help against Parkinson’s disease. However, when the balance disorders or the cognitive disorders become such a danger in daily life, patients are often admitted to nursing or care home. Life expectancy in patients with Parkinson’s disease is not shorter compared to healthy people.
