Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in impaired movement, characterized by tremors, rigidity and slow movement. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF), approximately 60,000 people are diagnosed with this disease each year in the United States. The end stage of this disease--Stage 5--occurs when the disease has progressed to the point where the patient is wheelchair bound.
Autonomic Nervous System Impairment
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the normal involuntary functions of the body, such as digestion, breathing and blood transport throughout the body. According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, people with progressed forms of Parkinson's disease may develop impairment of the autonomic nervous system. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that these patients may have difficulty with urination or may develop constipation as a result of this impairment. Patients may also have difficulty chewing or swallowing due to inefficient muscle function that can occur in later states of Parkinson's disease. These patients are at an increased risk of choking because the food can't be swallowed in a healthy, normal way. People with end-stage Parkinson's disease may experience frequent sudden drops in blood pressure, a condition called orthostatic hypotension. This may occur due to nerve ending damage within the autonomic nervous system.
Postural Instability
According to the PDF, characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's disease involve tremor, slow movement (bradykinesia) and rigidity. These symptoms can significantly interfere with a person's ability to stand or walk normally. As a result, those with later stages of Parkinson's disease are more susceptible to injuries through imbalance or falls. People with end-stage Parkinson's disease develop severe symptoms associated with postural instability, causing these patients to be wheelchair bound.
Sleep Disturbances
The Johns Hopkins Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery Department notes that, as Parkinson's disease progresses, people with this condition are likely to develop significant sleep disturbances. Such symptoms may include restless sleep, nightmares, severe drowsiness throughout the day or difficulty staying asleep at night, according to the NINDS. Lack of sleep can lead to daily functional difficulties or may cause some patients to nap frequently throughout the day.
Cognitive Problems
The NINDS also notes that some patients with Parkinson's disease may develop memory or cognitive difficulties. As the disease progresses, some of these cognitive problems may increase in severity and lead to a condition called Parkinson's dementia. Symptoms of this condition include severe memory difficulties and decreased social, language or reasoning skills. Such symptoms significantly interfere with a person's ability to function on a daily basis during the end stages of this disease.
Speech Difficulties
People with Parkinson's disease may develop speech difficulties that progressively worsen in the later stages of the disease, according to the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center. People with this disease may speak very softly or slowly, which can make it difficult for these patients to ask for help. Communication difficulties can severely affect the ability of people with the later stages of this disease to complete daily activities.
