Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: Stages, Risk Factors & More

Holding a pen, feeding yourself, or even putting clothes on – when was the last time you paid attention to these simple habitual actions? For people with Parkinson’s, doing these things can become a challenge as the condition can affect daily activities.

Check out our guide for caregivers of seniors with Parkinson’s Disease, or if you are seeking to first understand this condition, read on.

• What is Parkinson’s and what causes it
• What are the different stages of Parkinson’s
• Symptoms of Parkinson’s and when to see the doctor
• How is Parkinson’s diagnosed
• How is Parkinson’s treated
• Risk Factors for Parkinson’s

What is Parkinson’s and what causes it?

Parkinson’s disease (PD), or simply Parkinson’s, is a long-term degenerative disorder in the central nervous system where nerve cells are impaired or no longer function. This mainly affects motor functions, but is known to also affect memory, speech, swallowing, mood and behaviour.

While the cause of the condition is not fully understood, the onset of Parkinson’s Disease is attributed to the lack of dopamine, a chemical that helps to relay messages in our brain and regulate happy moods. It is a progressive condition, beginning with gradual symptoms in early stages, to a debilitating condition in later stages.

Based on a study in 2004, about 0.3% of Singapore residents aged 50 years and above have Parkinson’s Disease. With an ageing population, the numbers will likely increase further.

What are the different stages of Parkinson’s?

There are broadly 5 stages for Parkinson’s Disease. Each stage impacts each patient and their caregiver differently. A diagnosis from a medical professional can inform which of the five stages your loved one is experiencing:

Stage One

During the initial stage, the patient experiences mild symptoms like clumsiness, stiffness in posture and slowed facial expressions. These generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremors and slowness of movement tend to occur on one side of the body only.

Stage Two

Tremors, rigidity and other movement symptoms begin to get worse, affecting both sides of the body. The patient is still able to live independently, but daily tasks such as walking, bathing and changing clothes become more difficult to complete and take a longer time. Other symptoms include decreased blinking, speech abnormalities, and stiffness in trunk muscles.

Stage Three

The mid-stage of Parkinson’s is characterised by loss of balance and slowed movements, also known as bradykinesia. The patient is still mostly independent, however the symptoms of Parkinson’s significantly hinder daily activities such as feeding or changing themselves. Caregivers should watch out for falls, as these become more common.

Stage Four

The symptoms of Parkinson’s limit the movement of the patient. He or she requires assistive devices such as canes or walkers, to move about without falling. While he or she can still stand, the patient will need help with activities of daily living such as bathing and moving about, and may require a caregiver.

Stage Five

At the last stage of Parkinson’s, stiffness in the legs makes walking or standing difficult or impossible. The patient is bedridden, or requires a wheelchair to move about with the help of a caregiver. Round-the-clock nursing care is required for all daily activities, and swallowing food becomes difficult.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s and When To See A Doctor

The diagnosis for Parkinson’s usually occurs between stages two and three, as patients are more likely to seek a doctor’s diagnosis when they notice that the motor symptoms are beginning to affect their lifestyle. While not all Parkinson’s patients have the same set of symptoms, it is helpful to keep an eye out for general motor symptoms of Parkinson’s by remembering the abbreviation, T.R.A.P. (Tremors, Rigidity, Absence or Slowness of Movement, Postural Instability):

Tremors

Tremors affect 70-80% of Parkinson’s patients. One of the more common tremors is the pill rolling tremor, which looks like a person rolling a pill or a small object between their thumb and index finger, and happens when the hand is at rest. Tremors can also occur in the hands, on the lower jaw and legs.

Rigidity

Involuntary stiffness of bodily muscles and a sensation of tightness are some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. This results in decreased flexibility, limited facial expressions, and sometimes a hunched back. Rigidity can also make it difficult for a patient to perform daily tasks well.

Absence or Slowness of movement

Also known as bradykinesia, this is often described as the feeling of having feet “glued to the floor” or “freezing”. It can appear as a shuffling gait, or a person taking smaller steps. Freezing can also happen in the hands or when speaking.

Postural instability

Keeping balanced when standing still, getting up from a chair, or walking becomes difficult and can lead to an increase in falls, twice as often as someone of the same age who is healthy.

On top of these motor symptoms, some other symptoms may include digestive issues, difficulties with swallowing, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, pain, and forgetfulness.

If your loved one is experiencing a combination of these symptoms, bring them to see a neurologist.

How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?

A movement disorder specialist, who is a specialised neurologist may diagnose Parkinson’s based on your loved one’s medical history, neurological and physical examinations. For example, the doctor may ask for family history and observe the patient’s movements.

How is Parkinson’s treated?

We know that there is no cure for Parkinson’s, so managing the condition with medication is the first line of treatment for symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Some of these medications that help control tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement include dopamine agonists to mimic dopamine in the brain and others that synthesise or retain the effect of dopamine.

Movement disorder specialists rely on their clinical examination and patient’s feedback towards the treatment to create a tailor-made medication regime. This is why keeping up with doctor appointments is so important!

Families may also consider getting help from care and therapy services to help in their quality of life and reduce caregiving stress.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s

There are currently no existing tests to tell for sure if our loved ones will develop Parkinson’s in the future. However, many studies have been carried out to identify the risk factors for Parkinson’s.

Your risk of developing Parkinson’s increases if you are:

• Male and above 60 years old. Men have twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s than females, though this trend on gender and age is less noticeable in Asia.
• Exposed to pesticides and heavy chemicals. Research shows that exposure to chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and solvents are linked to a relatively small risk in developing Parkinson’s.
• Genetically predisposed to developing Parkinson’s. About 10 to 20 percent of Parkinson’s disease cases are linked to a genetic cause.

Summary

Parkinson’s Disease is a complex condition that affects everyone differently. As family members, we can be better prepared for the caregiving journey by understanding the signs and symptoms, and learn how to best support our loved ones who are going through this condition. For helpful tips, read our guide for caregivers of seniors with Parkinson’s.

Frequently Asked Questions