Understanding Parkinson's disease: A growing concern in ageing populations

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Parkinson's disease (PD) stands as a prominent neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide, predominantly in the elderly population.

As per studies, an alarming 7 million individuals in India alone grapple with Parkinson's, and with an ageing demographic, these numbers are poised to escalate.

Categorised under movement disorders, PD targets the nerve cells responsible for producing dopamine, a hormone crucial for regulating body movements.

Every April 11, World Parkinson’s Day serves as a day to spread awareness and education about this debilitating condition.

This initiative becomes imperative as Parkinson's ranks second among the most swiftly proliferating neurodegenerative diseases globally.

The disease's progressive nature inflicts increasing disability upon the afflicted, amplifying economic strains on families and societies alike.

Dr Sreekanta Swamy, Lead Senior Consultant - Neurology at Aster RV Hospital, sheds light on the concerning trajectory of Parkinson's and shared, "With millions currently battling Parkinson’s globally, projections indicate a manifold surge by 2040, mirroring the rise in the elderly demographic. While typically manifesting around 60 years of age, a fraction of patients receive diagnoses at younger ages. As age advances, the prevalence rises, peaking around 85 years."

Dr Sreekanta says, “Age emerges as the predominant risk factor for Parkinson’s onset. Yet, factors like pesticide exposure, environmental pollutants, and genetic predisposition also contribute. Notably, males are twice as likely to develop PD compared to females.”

Early stages of the disease often elude detection, manifesting subtly over the years.

Symptoms can manifest long before a formal PD diagnosis, including chronic constipation, olfactory disorders, and sleep disturbances. 

Dr. Swamy outlines the typical symptoms:

• Tremors: Predominantly affecting hands at rest, with occasional lip and toe tremors.
• Rigidity: Perceived bodily stiffness demanding heightened effort to initiate movement.
• Bradykinesia: Gradual slowing down of bodily movements and cognitive responses, frequently dismissed as agerelated.
• Postural Instability: Challenges in maintaining balance leading to frequent falls. Over time, the symptomatology expands to include forgetfulness, diminished speech volume, speech difficulties, behavioural alterations, and changes in gait and posture. Diagnosis hinges predominantly on clinical evaluations. Dr Sreekanta added, that while tools like DAT and MRI scans aid in certain cases, distinguishing PD from other brain disorders remains challenging due to overlapping symptoms.
• Managing Parkinson's: Beyond medication Treatment avenues, though extensive lack a definitive cure. Established over two centuries ago, current treatments aim at symptom management to enhance patient quality of life. Medications like Levodopa for m the cornerstone of drug therapy. While initially effective with minimal side effects, their efficacy diminishes over time, often accompanied by increased side effects. For patients unresponsive to medication or plagued by drug-induced side effects, Dr Sreekanta added that surgical interventions like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) offer viable alter natives. He said, “Complementary strategies encompass physical exercises, balanced nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments, complementing pharmacological interventions. The pivotal role of caregivers, coupled with the support from self-help groups, becomes indispensable in mana ging daily challenges posed by PD.”