Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that makes movement difficult. In advanced stages, it can also cause many other symptoms. Though Parkinson's may be more common with age, younger people can get it, too. It's a challenging condition to diagnose and treat, meaning that a patient may have it for years before being diagnosed. This makes the age of onset of Parkinson's disease misleading. The best defense is to be familiar with the early signs and symptoms so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Identification
There's a structure within the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps nervous signals travel through the body. In the case of Parkinson's disease (PD), for reasons not well understood, the body initiates an attack against the substantia nigra. The result is less dopamine. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that when the body doesn't have enough dopamine, it loses its ability to coordinate movement. This results in shaking or tremors, balance problems, trouble initiating movement or freezing, muscle stiffness and many other symptoms.
Considerations
There are no definitive lab tests that can confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, according to the National Parkinson's Disease Foundation. In most cases, certain symptoms must be present for a while in order for a physician to suspect this condition. A neurologist may rely on the United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, which compares symptoms a patient is having with typical symptoms that suggest PD. This exam may need to take place over several visits to help confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, a doctor may need to run multiple tests to rule out other possible causes. In addition, PD symptoms may be so general in the early stages that they aren't automatically associated with serious disease. All of the above means that diagnosing PD can take time, so the actual age of onset may be younger than documented.
Features
According to the Parkinson's Research The Organized Genetics Initiative (PROGENI) webpage, a better indicator of the actual age of onset of Parkinson's disease may come from the patient and family members who notice early signs and symptoms. To better predict the actual age the disease started, go back to the first date that the patient or family members recognized changes. In a paper published by PROGENI, family members were able to place the age of onset at one year earlier than medical professionals. This difference can help to get treatment started sooner.
Significance
Most people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are older than 60, the American Parkinson's Disease Association says. Due to this statistic, younger people are often misdiagnosed. However, there is a category of PD that's called Young Onset, which is used when the disease appears in someone between 21 and 40 years old. The APDA says that "...about 10%-20% of those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40." In most cases of Young Onset PD, the disease is less severe and progresses more slowly.
Solution
Although there is no known cause or cure for PD, starting treatment early can help when managing symptoms. Be familiar with the early signs. The Mayo Clinic recommends being on the lookout for shaking or tremors that occur at rest, slower movement, shuffling steps, softer speech, small and cramped handwriting, trouble maintaining balance and loss of facial expression. Keeping a diary of these symptoms can help a physician diagnose PD early.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Parkinson's Disease Information Page
- National Parkinson's Disease Foundation: How Does Your Doctor Make a PD Diagnosis?
- Parkinson's Research: The Organized Genetics Initiative: Reliability of Reported Age at Onset for Parkinson's Disease
- American Parkinson's Disease Association: What is Young Onset Parkinson's Disease?
