By: Akshay Karthik
Parkinson's disease is a potential brain disorder that primarily affects the nerves of a human being. Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. In simpler terms, it is a constant shaking of the hand. Tremors are extremely common for those with Parkinson's, but the effects can be detrimental. It can lead to continuous stiffness and slow movement throughout the body. Your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson's disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time. Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms. One patient even described it: "Imagine that you are slowly losing control over your body as if some higher power is trying to take over your soul." The majority of symptoms of Parkinson's disease can occur in different forms. Some of which include:
Tremor: A tremor, or rhythmic shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You may rub your thumb and forefinger back and forth. This condition is known as a pill-rolling tremor. Your hand may tremble when it's at rest. The shaking may decrease when you are performing tasks.
Slowed movement (bradykinesia): Over time, Parkinson's disease may slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be challenging to get out of a chair. You may drag or shuffle your feet as you try to walk.
Rigid muscles: Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.
Impaired posture and balance: Your posture may become stooped. Or you may fall or have balance problems due to Parkinson's disease.
Loss of automatic movements: You may be unable to perform unconscious actions, including blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms when you walk.
Speech changes: You may speak softly, quickly, slur, or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than have the usual speech patterns.
Writing changes: It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
Parkinson's disease and ADHD both cause damage to areas of the brain that control movement and changes in dopamine production. Some research also suggests a link between certain stimulants for ADHD treatment and the risk of developing Parkinson's.
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, this link may be due to the brain areas the conditions affect. These two brain areas, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum, require healthy amounts of dopamine to function correctly. Damages to both of these brain parts and an immense decrease in dopamine production contribute to the development of Parkinsons. A 2018 retrospective cohort study found that ADHD and ADHD treatment may increase the risk of BG&C diseases, including Parkinson's. The researchers had access to statewide medical records from across Utah from 1996–2016. These records belonged to 31,769 people with an ADHD diagnosis and 158,790 people without. The participants had no diagnoses of Parkinson's or similar diseases and no history of substance misuse. The 2018 study Trusted Source results showed a 2.4-fold increase in the risk of BG&C diseases among those with ADHD compared with those without ADHD. On average, the onset of BG&C diseases occurred at a slightly younger age in the latter group. People with ADHD had a 2.6-fold increased risk of Parkinson's compared with people without ADHD. In people with ADHD taking prescription medication for ADHD, there was a 4-fold increased risk of Parkinson's compared with the participants without ADHD. The results from the above study show an increased risk of BG&C diseases in those with ADHD. The findings demonstrate that people with ADHD may be more likely to develop diseases such as Parkinson's than those without ADHD. The results also demonstrate that the Parkinsons are being developed in the body. However, this is entirely situational and depends on how serious the ADHD an individual possesses. Therefore, the increased risk could be due to the severity of the condition rather than a direct result of medication use.
Bibliography
Clinic, M. (2023, February 17). Parkinson's disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055
Washington, N. (2022). ADHD and parkinson's: Is there a link? Medical News Today. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-and-parkinsons#research
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