April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, showing support, and educating our community about Parkinson’s Disease — a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination. Over time it can lead to challenges with daily activities and affect your ability to live independently. 

At Assisting Hands West Houston, we are dedicated to helping individuals living with Parkinson’s and their families better understand this condition and navigate its progression with compassionate, professional support. In this guide, we cover what Parkinson’s is, its symptoms, and how to manage its progression.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive disorder of the central nervous system that primarily affects movement. It develops when nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra become damaged or die. These cells produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps coordinate smooth and balanced muscle movements. When dopamine levels drop, it leads to the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

The symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary from person to person, but the most recognizable include:

• Tremors (shaking), especially in the hands, fingers, or chin
• Bradykinesia (slowness of movement), which can make daily tasks more difficult
• Muscle stiffness and rigidity
• Balance and posture problems, which increase the risk of falls
• Changes in speech, such as a softer or more monotone voice
• Facial expression loss, often referred to as a “masked face”
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing
• Non-motor symptoms, such as depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive changes

Who Is Affected by Parkinson’s Disease?

While Parkinson’s is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 60, younger individuals can also develop it — this is known as young-onset Parkinson’s Disease. The cause is not fully understood, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to play a role.

How Is Parkinson’s Diagnosed?

Diagnosing PD can be challenging because there is no single test for it. Instead, doctors rely on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and symptom review. A neurologist, particularly one who specializes in movement disorders, typically performs the diagnosis.

Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for beginning treatment and managing the condition effectively. Key steps may include:

• Neurological and physical exams to assess reflexes, muscle tone, gait, and coordination
• Medical history review, including family history and any current medications
• Observation of symptoms over time, especially tremors, stiffness, and movement speed
• Brain imaging like an MRI or DaTscan, a dopamine transporter scan that provides images of the dopamine system in the brain (note that this is not needed for diagnosis; rather, it’s used to rule out other conditions)
• Biomarker tests like the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (SAA), which detects abnormal forms of the protein alpha-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid — a hallmark of Parkinson’s

Treatment Options for Parkinson’s Disease

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are a variety of treatments available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment plans are highly individualized and often include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments that can help manage symptoms. 

Medications

Medication is the most common form of treatment, and many types are available to treat symptoms. However, it’s important to note that there are currently no medications available to effectively slow or stop the disease. 

Medications for Parkinson’s disease are used to increase dopamine levels or mimic its effects. Common types include:

• Levodopa: The most effective treatment, which the brain converts into dopamine
• Carbidopa: Used to prevent or lessen the side effects (nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, restlessness) of levodopa
• Dopamine agonists: Stimulates dopamine receptors
• Enzyme inhibitors (e.g., MAO-B inhibitors and COMT inhibitors): Help prevent the breakdown of dopamine 
• Amantadine: Helps reduce involuntary movements
• Anticholinergic drugs: Reduces tremors and muscle rigidity

Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation therapies can improve mobility, strength, speech, and daily functioning. Here are three rehab therapies that can help:

• Physical therapy: Helps with balance, gait training, and flexibility
• Occupational therapy: Focuses on adapting everyday tasks and home safety
• Speech therapy: Assists with voice control, swallowing, and communication

Lifestyle Adjustments

Regular exercise is critical in managing symptoms and slowing progression. Activities like walking, swimming, tai chi, and stretching improve strength, coordination, and mood. Also, a healthy, well-balanced diet will boost overall health and ease non-movement symptoms.

Surgical Interventions

As PD progresses, medication may no longer be effective enough to ease symptoms. In these cases, surgical interventions are available as an advanced treatment option. The two most common surgical treatments currently available for those living with PD include:

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Delivers small electrical pulses to disrupt abnormal signaling in cells that cause movement problems 
• Focused Ultrasound: Destroys cells that cause movement problems using ultrasound beams

Mental Health Support

Depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes are common in Parkinson’s disease and require appropriate mental health care. Counseling and medication can play important roles in promoting a positive mental state.

Also, consider joining Parkinson’s support groups. Connecting with others who are affected by PD will help ease feelings of isolation. 

Helpful Resources

For more information on Parkinson’s disease, check out these helpful resources:

• Parkinson’s Foundation
• Michael J. Fox Foundation
• National Institute on Aging
• American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
• Parkinson’s Resource Organization
• Davis Phinney Foundation
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 

How Assisting Hands West Houston Can Help

If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease, Assisting Hands West Houston is here to help. Our caregivers are trained to support those living with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, and we work closely with families to adapt care as needs evolve. We can provide:

• Coordination of care
• Mobility assistance and fall prevention support
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, grooming, and eating
• Medication reminders
• Transportation to doctor or therapy appointments
• Companionship to help ease isolation and emotional stress

Contact us today by using the chat box on this page or by calling us directly at (281) 369-5858 to learn more about how our in-home care services can provide the support and peace of mind you need.