Text size:

Parkinson’s Disease Factsheet

Parkinson’s Disease (Parkinson’s) is a progressive neurological disorder which
affects a person’s control of their body movement due to a breakdown of messages
from the brain.

After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s is the second most common neurological
condition. Many people with Parkinson’s live and long and productive lives.

Parkinson’s occurs when neurons (nerve cells) in a part of the brain called the
substantia nigra become impaired or die. Normally, these cells produce a vital
chemical known as dopamine, which allows for the smooth, coordinated function of
the body’s muscles and movement. When approximately 70 per cent of the cells
producing dopamine are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear.

Symptoms

The symptoms vary greatly between individuals but there are four classic symptoms.

Shaking / tremor
Rigidity or stiffness of the muscles
Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
Trouble with balance and/or falls

Secondary symptoms include:

Reduced arm swing on the affected side
Small handwriting
‘Freezing’ – being stuck in place when attempting to walk
‘Facial masking’ – Parkinson’s may give a person a grim and set look, because smiling and other facial expressions are physically difficult to convey due to a loss of control of the facial muscles
Speaking in a soft voice
Clinical depression
Personality changes
Dementia
Sleep disturbances
Speech impairments
Fatigue

Effect of the disease

Parkinson’s is both chronic and progressive; with the severity of the disease slowly
worsening over time until the person is unable to function for themselves.

However, the intensity and effect of the symptoms does vary from person to person.
There are cases where the disease progresses rapidly, and also instances where the
disease causes only a minor disruption to a person’s life.

How can Just Better Care help?

Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy can help manage the individuals condition.
Just Better Care can help by providing social support to enable the client and their
carer choices improving quality of life. There is a life with Parkinson’s disease and
that life can be enhanced and enriched by the support of our Community Care
Workers at Just Better Care.

References

Parkinson’s Australia
ABC Health and Wellbeing
Better Health Channel
National Parkinson Foundation