Get To Know Parkinson's: Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention

Illustration of parkinson (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disorder that affects the movement of the body and conditions are getting worse over time. While this disease cannot be cured, proper prevention can help sufferers live a better life.

Symptoms of Parkinson

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary and often appear slowly. Some of the common symptoms experienced by people with Parkinson's disease include:

- Tremor ( Tremetar)

Tremor is the most common symptom in Parkinson's. Usually it starts in the hands or fingers, although it can also appear in the legs or jaw. This trend is often clearer when the body is in a state of rest.

- Slowing Movement (Bradykinesia)

One of the most disturbing symptoms is slowing movements. This makes daily activities, such as getting up from a chair, dressing, or bathing more difficult and taking longer.

- Kaku Muscle

Parkinson's sufferers often feel stiffness in the muscles of the body, which causes pain and difficulty in doing movement.

- Posture and Bad Balance

Parkinson's sufferer may experience bendy posture and difficulty maintaining balance. This can increase the risk of falling.

- Change of Voice and Writing

The sound becomes slow, fast, unclear, or flat without any intonation. In addition, handwriting becomes small and difficult to read.

- Sleep and Cognition Problems

Parkinson's sufferers can also experience sleep disorders, such as waking up at night and strange behavior during sleep. In addition, problems with concentration and dementia can develop over time.

Causes of Parkinson's

The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not yet known, but there are several factors that contribute to the development of this disease:

- Dopamine Shortage

In Parkinson's, neurons in the brain that produce dopamine, which is an important substance to regulate movement of the body, will be damaged or die. This dopamine deficiency causes movement disorders.

- Genetics Factor

Although most Parkinson's cases are not caused by genetic factors, certain genetic changes can increase a person's risk of suffering from this disease, especially if there is a history of family suffering from Parkinson's.

- Environmental Factors

Long-term exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides or other chemicals, can increase the risk of getting Parkinson's disease. However, this factor is not always a direct cause.

Parkinson's Prevention

Since the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not yet known, there is no really effective way to prevent it. However, some steps can help reduce the risk of contracting this disease:

- Regular Sports

Research shows that physical activity, especially aerobic exercises, can lower Parkinson's risk and help slow the development of the disease in an individual who has been diagnosed.

- Consuming Caffein

Some studies show that caffeine consumption, such as coffee and green tea, can help reduce the risk of Parkinson's.

- Undergoing a Healthy Diet

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can support overall brain health and reduce risk factors related to Parkinson's.

- Avoid Exposure Toxic Exposure

Avoid exposure to harmful toxins or chemicals, such as pesticides, can help reduce the risk of getting Parkinson's disease.

- Medicines

Some drugs, such as ibuprofen and statin, show the potential to reduce the risk of Parkinson's.