How Can Parkinson’s Disease Affect A Person’s Ability To Walk

What Does It Look Like

Parkinsonian gait is one of several motor symptoms that are the hallmarks of Parkinsons disease, including slowness of movement and tremors. Motor symptoms in Parkinsons disease come from a lack of control over movements and difficulty initiating muscle movements.

The exact features of Parkinsonian gait can differ from person to person, but there are some very common features that most people have. These include:

• taking small, shuffling steps
• moving more slowly than expected for your age
• festinating, or when your strides become quicker and shorter than normal, which can make it look like youre hurrying
• taking jerky steps
• moving your arms less when walking
• falling frequently
• freezing of gait

People with Parkinsons disease can sometimes lose the ability to pick up their feet, which makes them stuck in place. Freezing of gait can be triggered by environmental factors, such as walking through a narrow doorway, changing directions, or walking through a crowd. It can also be triggered by emotions, especially anxiety or feeling rushed.

Freezing of gait can happen anytime. However, it often occurs when you stand up. You might find that youre unable to pick up your feet and start moving.

How Will Parkinson’s Disease Affect Your Life

Finding out that you have a long-term, progressive disease can lead to a wide range of feelings. You may feel angry, afraid, sad, or worried about what lies ahead. It may help to keep a few things in mind:

• Usually this disease progresses slowly. Some people live for many years with only minor symptoms.
• Many people are able to keep working for years. As the disease gets worse, you may need to change how you work.
• It is important to take an active role in your health care. Find a doctor you trust and can work with.
• Depression is common in people who have Parkinson’s. If you feel very sad or hopeless, talk to your doctor or see a counsellor.
• It can make a big difference to know that you’re not alone. Ask your doctor about Parkinson’s support groups, or look for online groups or message boards.
• Parkinson’s affects more than just the person who has it. It also affects your loved ones. Be sure to include them in your decisions.

The Cranial Nerves And Parkinson’s Disease

for more about this in the context of PD.

However, I believe there is something unique about the Social Engagement system in humans, even amongst mammals: our hands. We humans also use hands for expressing our emotions in very significant ways too. Indeed, we can communicate very profoundly like this: we have even developed sign languages, so we can and do literally talk with our hands.

We can also hush each other with hands without making sound ourselves – meaning we can communicate that serious danger is present requiring everyone in the social group to keep quiet to avoid attracting attention, in such a way that we don’t attract attention ourselves.

Orienting is also an important part of the Cranial Nerve function for threat/safety evaluation, including the ability to turn eyes or ears to the source of potential threat. But with our hands we can also, naturally, orient each other to potential threats which we individually may have detected, within social groups – pointing a finger in direction of danger, for example, or signalling to the group to stop in its tracks.

We can also make very distinct sounds and a wide range of “calls to action” directly with our hands: clapping, clicking fingers, whistling through the fingers, not to mention beating drums, etc.

I have just communicated all this to you through my hands too, because I typed these words with my fingers!

Don’t Miss: What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Parkinson’s Disease

How Is Parkinson Disease Diagnosed

Parkinson disease can be hard to diagnose. No single test can identify it. Parkinson can be easily mistaken for another health condition. A healthcare provider will usually take a medical history, including a family history to find out if anyone else in your family has Parkinson’s disease. He or she will also do a neurological exam. Sometimes, an MRI or CT scan, or some other imaging scan of the brain can identify other problems or rule out other diseases.

Who Develops Parkinson’s Disease

PD mainly develops in people over the age of 50. It becomes more common with increasing age. About 5 in 1,000 people in their 60s and about 40 in 1,000 people in their 80s have PD. It affects men and women but is a little more common in men. Rarely, it develops in people under the age of 50.

PD is not usually inherited and it can affect anyone. However, one type of PD, which appears in the small number of people who develop it before the age of 50, may be linked to inherited factors. Several family members may be affected.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Parkinson’s Disease

Your Home And Lifestyle

• Modify your activities and your home. For example, simplify your daily activities, and change the location of furniture so that you can hold on to something as you move around the house.
• Eat healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.
• Exercise and do physiotherapy. They have benefits in both early and advanced stages of the disease.

Psychological Issue: Depression And Sex

With diagnosis and decreased physical capacity, a persons sense of self is disrupted with Parkinsons. Parkinsons itself can cause changes in the brains chemicals that impact ones mood and well-being. Depression can affect up to 40 percent of those with Parkinsons. This is important to realize since sexual disorders may be due to the depression that can come with Parkinsons diagnosis more than by the actual disease itself. The antidepressant medications that may be administered can also result in sexual dysfunction.

Other emotional issues for those who have Parkinsons, which may result in sexual difficulties, include: anger, stress, grief, and mental fatigue. An individual grappling with Parkinsons may experience reduced self-esteem, which can inhibit ones sexuality. Such is made even more difficult by the body image problems that can arise, due to issues like changes in skin texture or the body smell that results from consuming Parkinsons drugs.

The partner of a person with Parkinsons can also have trouble coping with the situation. Issues that may arise include:

• Fatigue and resentment in taking on more responsibility.
• Dealing with their own feelings related to a partners diagnosis, like fear, anxiety, and depression.
• Loss of attraction and sexual interest due to the symptoms of PD, e.g., involuntary movements or changes in appearance, like the lack of facial expression.

You May Like: Can Parkinson’s Run In The Family

What Is Parkinsonian Gait

Parkinsonian gait is a defining feature of Parkinsons disease, especially in later stages. Its often considered to have a more negative impact on quality of life than other Parkinsons symptoms. People with Parkinsonian gait usually take small, shuffling steps. They might have difficulty picking up their feet.

Parkinsonian gait changes can be episodic or continuous. Episodic changes, such as freezing of gait, can come on suddenly and randomly. Continuous changes are changes in your gait that happen all the time while walking, such as walking more slowly than expected.

Meeting The Parkinsons Challenge

Although the disease has no cure, doctors and researchers are making strides in helping people live with Parkinsons. When Parkinsonism is suspected, patients are generally referred to specialists for treatment through their neurologist or family doctor.

According to Dr. Doug Hobson, a movement disorder neurologist at the Movement Disorder Clinic at Deer Lodge Centre, Parkinsons hasnt been beaten yet because of its complexity. Typical Parkinsons tends to progress more slowly than other less common ones. Medications are often designed for typical Parkinsons, but people may need more input than medication alone. Thats where we come in.

The Movement Disorder Clinic is home to a dynamic multidisciplinary team of specialists trained to treat Parkinsons and other movement disorders. The clinic looks after more than 1,500 clients in Winnipeg and serves more than 5,000 affected individuals in its broader catchment area, which includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Ontario, and North Dakota.

Because Parkinsons has a nasty tendency to affect every part of a persons life once it takes hold, the Movement Disorder Clinic takes a decidedly multidisciplinary approach to treatment. The clinics partnership with specialists in the Allied Health Network make it a more effective weapon in fighting back against all aspects of the diseases impact.

This comprehensive approach also makes it easier for clients, who can receive most ofand often allthe care they need in one visit.

Recommended Reading: Do Dogs Get Parkinson’s

Can Parkinsons Disease Be Prevented

Unfortunately, no. Parkinsons disease is long-term disease that worsens over time. Although there is no way to prevent or cure the disease , medications may significantly relieve your symptoms. In some patients especially those with later-stage disease, surgery to improve symptoms may be an option.

Production Of Dopamine Neurons From Stem Cells: Could We Be One Step Closer To The Cure

As the disease progresses, people may experience reduced quality of life, if normal functions such as swallowing, start to be affected. Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinsons disease. Once Parkinsons is diagnosed, the symptoms can often be treated with medications and therapies, especially in the early stages. However, the scientific community is making every effort to find a way to cure or at the very least find more effective ways to lessen the symptoms of this physically impairing disease.

As we mentioned before, the disease primarily affects dopamine-producing brain cells or neurons. The good news is, scientists in Sweden have identified some insights and a set of markers that should help control the quality of stem cells engineered for clinical use to treat Parkinsons disease. As the disease progresses and dopamine-producing brain cells malfunction and die, it leads to lower levels of dopamine, which is a chemical messenger essential for controlling movement. These findings should help fine-tune stem cell engineering to produce pure populations of high-quality dopamine neurons. Then, a pool of progenitor cells can be transplanted into the brains of patients, so they can make new supplies of dopamine cells.

But while this exciting new research is still in the lab, what else can we hope for to delay the symptoms of Parkinsons and improve the quality of life of those suffering from the disease?

Also Check: When Was Parkinson’s Disease First Discovered

Stages Of Parkinsons Disease

Because Parkinsons disease develops over time, there are various stages that help identify how symptoms have progressed and what should be expected next.

Generally, doctors follow a set of five stages as outlined below:

Stage 1

The beginning stage of Parkinsons disease sometimes doesnt show any signs at all. If symptoms are noticeable, theyre usually tremors and affect one side of the body. The symptoms usually dont affect your daily routine, but they should be taken seriously and brought to the attention of your doctor, if they havent already.

Stage 2

During this stage, the disease starts to affect your whole body. The tremors and stiffness cause routine activities to take a little longer to complete, and your overall movement starts to be affected. Your posture and facial expressions may should start to change, which can impact your ability to walk at a normal pace or communicate like you used to.

Stage 3

This stage features a worsening of all the symptoms that started to progressively deteriorate in stage 2, but you also start to experience a loss of balance and coordination, as well as how quick your reflexes are. As these symptoms start to come into the fold, people with the disease start to fall more, which can cause their own injuries and debilitations. Activities like getting out of bed, eating, and getting dressed start to get more difficult.

Stage 4

Stage 5

Find A Post Acute Medical Center Near You

Parkinson’s disease is a complex disorder that affects every person differently. If you or a loved one have Parkinson’s disease, you can still enjoy life and engage in fun activities. An individualized physical therapy program can help keep you on your feet and enhance your overall well-being.

At Post Acute Medical, our compassionate physical therapists are trained to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve their symptoms and reach their goals. To learn more about our comprehensive Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation program, contact a Post Acute Medical facility near you.

Also Check: Life Expectancy Of Someone With Parkinson’s Disease

Treating And Managing Gait Problems

Unfortunately, problems with gait, posture and balance tend not to respond as well to medications as other common motor symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia . In addition, higher doses of medication over time to manage symptoms such as dyskinesia and orthostatic hypotension can sometimes increase problems with gait.

Nevertheless, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself and there are also experienced professionals who can offer very useful advice. Each case will be different and it is hard to generalise but depending on where you live your doctor will normally be your first contact and they may refer you to one or more of the professionals listed below.

Write Down Your Goals

Before you meet with a physical therapist, write down all the goals you want to accomplish. Writing your goals can help you organize your thoughts and focus on what is most important to you. When listing your goals, consider the areas you are struggling with and would like to improve most. Your goals will provide direction for your treatment and help you stay motivated. You can adjust your goals or create new ones as needed.

Don’t Miss: Does Parkinson Cause Memory Loss

Surgery And Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is a treatment for Parkinsonâs disease that uses an implantable pacemaker-like device to deliver electrical pulses to parts of the brain involved in movement. The DBS system consists of leads precisely inserted into a specific brain target, the neurostimulator implanted in the chest, and extension wires that connect the leads to the neurostimulator. Though implantation of the system requires a neurosurgical procedure, the treatment itself consists of long-term electrical stimulation. Advantages of DBS include its ability to reduce the high doses of medications , its adjustability , and its reversibility DBS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for PD in 2002 and according to Medtronic , more than 80,000 patients have undergone DBS surgery worldwide.

Typical candidates are those who have motor fluctuations or periods of âoffâ time with troublesome symptoms alternating with periods of âonâ time with good symptom control, and also with possible periods of excessive movement .

Not all patients with Parkinsonâs disease are good candidates for treatment with DBS. Approximately 10â20% of patients considered for possible treatment with DBS include those:

Getting Dressed With Parkinson’s Disease

• Get dressed while sitting in a chair that has armrests — this will help you keep your balance.
• Roll from side to side to get pants over your hips. You can do this while sitting in a chair or lying down on your bed.
• Wear clothes that are loose fitting and have elastic waistbands.
• Choose wrap-around clothing instead of the pullover type. Also choose clothing that opens in the front, not the back so you don’t have to reach behind you.
• Wear clothing with large, flat buttons, zippers, or Velcro closures.
• Use a button hook to button clothing.
• Use a dressing stick if you have shoulder weakness to get your coat or shirt on or off.
• Use a zipper pull or attach a leather loop on the end of the zipper to zip pants or jackets.
• Wear slip-on shoes or buy elastic shoelaces that allow you to slip your shoes on and off without untying the laces. Use devices such as a sock donner and long-handled shoehorn for additional assistance.

Read Also: Is Parkinson’s Disease Fatal

Trouble Moving Or Walking

People without PD do not think about their walking. Their arms naturally swing, and their feet naturally land on the heels with each step. They can walk and talk and carry bags, purses and plates of food without difficulty.

Individuals with PD tend to lose their automatic movements. Especially as Parkinsons advances, it may bring with it a variety of symptoms that are uncommon in early stages, such as problems with walking and poor balance . Feet begin to shuffle, and performing two tasks at once becomes more difficult. Turning becomes challenging, often leading to a freezing episode and sometimes a fall.

Parkinsons Disease Is a Movement and Sensory Disorder

People with PD have trouble regulating the speed and/or size of their movements. Movements are bradykinetic or hypokinetic .

Changes in the movement system lead to challenges controlling movements, including the following:

• Starting and stopping movements
• Linking different movements to accomplish one task
• Finishing one movement before beginning the next

Changes in the sensory system also lead to challenges, particularly noticing and correcting movement and voice issues, including the following:

• Slowness or smallness of movements
• Lack of movement
• Changes in posture
• Changes in voice volume

Walking Changes

There are many PD-related walking changes:

Managing Walking Changes

Walking Tips

Turning Tips

Freezing

Managing Freezing

Tips for Care Partners

Freezing is a significant cause of falls.

Related Diagnosis: Lewy Body Dementia

Current research is helping to differentiate dementia related conditions in relationship to Parkinsonâs disease. Doctorâs use a 12-month arbitrary rule to aid in diagnosis. When dementia is present before or within 1 year of Parkinsonâs motor symptoms developing, an individual is diagnosed with DLB. Those who have an existing diagnosis of Parkinsonâs for more than a year, and later develop dementia, are diagnosed with PDD.

In the simplest terms, Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of proteins that develop in nerve cells. Cholinesterase inhibitors, medications originally developed for Alzheimerâs disease, are the standard treatment today for cognitive DLB and PDD symptoms. Early diagnosis is important, as DLB patients may respond differently than Alzheimerâs disease patients to certain drug, behavioral, and dementia care treatments.

This challenging, multi-system disorder involving movement, cognition, behavior, sleep, and autonomic function requires a comprehensive treatment approach to maximize the quality of life for both the care recipient and their caregiver. It is very important to pay attention to symptoms of dementia and to search for an expert clinician who can diagnose the condition accurately.

Also Check: What Kind Of Effect Does R-dopa Have On Parkinson’s Disease