Oak Valley Health’s patient education pages share the skills, knowledge, and habits patients and families need to know to cope with a daily health issue. We hope this information can influence patient behaviour to improve health outcomes and provide you with a sense of control and autonomy.
Learn more about the risks, causes, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that affects people of all ages. It is a chronic illness that worsens over time. Parkinson’s disease affects each person differently.
Your ability to control movements and move your body normally is hampered by this condition. The condition can be mild or severe. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease that worsens over time.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, which are necessary for movement control. Neurons produce less dopamine as the condition worsens. It becomes difficult to move or control your movements as a result of this.
Genes and the environment may both play a role in the development of Parkinson’s disease.
It is unclear what causes neurons to die and why they produce less dopamine.
You are a male
You are 60 years of age or older
You have a family history of Parkinson’s disease
You have had a traumatic brain injury
You have experienced depression
Tremor
Stiffness in arms and legs
Walking abnormally
Movement has slowed down
Loss of balance and stability while standing
Changes in bowel and bladder functions
There is no cure but with treatment, symptoms can be managed by the following:
Exercise
Medications
Therapy (speech, occupational, and physical)
Surgery (deep brain stimulation)
Your symptoms are not alleviated by medications
You are unsteady or have fallen at home
To function well at home, you require more assistance
You have severe constipation
You are having side effects from your medications
You feel confused, anxious, depressed, or have hallucinations
