Parkinson’s Disease vs. Parkinsonism

1 parkinson 's Disease Understanding parkinson 's vs. Parkinsonism What is parkinson 's Disease ? Drug-Induced Parkinsonism Drug-induced Parkinsonism can be difficult parkinson 's Disease is a neurodegenerative brain to distinguish from parkinson 's, though the disorder that progresses slowly in most people. tremors and postural instability may be less Symptoms can take years to develop, and most severe. It is usually the side effect of drugs that people live for many years with the Disease . The affect dopamine levels in the brain, such as symptoms caused by parkinson 's include an antipsychotics, some calcium channel blockers ongoing loss of motor control (resting tremors, and stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. stiffness, slow movement, postural instability). If the affected person stops taking the drug(s), as well as a wide range of non-motor symptoms symptoms usually subside over time, but may (such as depression, loss of sense of smell, gastric take as long as 18 months to do so.)

2 Problems, cognitive changes and many others). Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). What is Parkinsonism ? PSP is slightly more common than ALS (also called Lou Gehrig Disease ). Symptoms usually Parkinsonism is a general term that refers to begin in the early 60's. Common early symptoms a group of neurological disorders that cause include loss of balance while walking that results movement problems similar to those seen in unexplained falls, forgetfulness and personality in parkinson 's Disease such as tremors, slow changes. The visual problems associated with movement and stiffness. Under the category of PSP generally occur 3 to 5 years after the walking Parkinsonism there are a number of disorders, problems and involve the inability to aim the eyes some of which have yet to be clearly defined properly because of weakness or paralysis of the or named. Early in the Disease process, it is muscles that move the eyeballs. Individuals with often hard to know whether a person has PSP may have some response to dopaminergic idiopathic (meaning of unknown origins ).

3 Treatment but may require higher doses than parkinson 's Disease or a syndrome that mimics it. patients with parkinson 's Disease . Parkinsonisms, also known as atypical parkinson 's Disease or parkinson 's plus, represent about Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). 10-15% of all diagnosed cases of Parkinsonism . MSA (also referred to as Shy-Drager syndrome). These syndromes tend to progress more rapidly is the term for a group of disorders in which than parkinson 's, present with additional one or more systems in the body stop working. symptoms such as early falling, dementia or In MSA the autonomic nervous system is often hallucinations, and do not respond or respond only severely affected early in the course of the for a short time to levodopa therapy. Disease . Symptoms include bladder problems Following are descriptions of some of the resulting in urgency, hesitancy or incontinence most common parkinson 's plus disorders. It is and orthostatic hypotension (nOH). In nOH the important to remember that many people will blood pressure drops so low when standing that not exhibit the cardinal symptoms necessary for fainting or near fainting can occur.

4 When lying a diagnosis of a specific disorder and will simply down, the patient's blood pressure can be quite be labeled Parkinsonism . For these people a high. For men, the earliest sign may be loss of definite diagnosis will only come if the family erectile function. Other symptoms that may requests a brain autopsy at time of death. develop include impaired speech, difficulties with breathing and swallowing, and inability to sweat. Like the other parkinsonisms, MSA symptoms and the diagnosis may need to be revised over Understanding parkinson 's either don't respond very much or don't respond time based on speed of Disease progression, at all to parkinson 's medications. response to medications and other factors. All the parkinsonisms have a loss of dopamine, so a Vascular Parkinsonism DatScan cannot be used to differentiate between Vascular Parkinsonism is usually caused by them and idiopathic parkinson 's Disease . clotting in the brain from multiple small strokes. People with vascular Parkinsonism tend to have more problems with gait than tremor and have Treatment more problems in the lower body.

5 The disorder There is overlap in treatment for parkinson 's progresses very slowly in comparison to other and parkinsonisms. Dopaminergic therapy types of Parkinsonism . People might report (the first line treatment for parkinson 's) can an abrupt onset of symptoms or step-wise be effective in some parkinsonisms. A regular deterioration (symptoms get worse then plateau daily exercise program is vital for maintaining parkinson 's Disease vs. Parkinsonism for a while). Symptoms in vascular Parkinsonism muscle tone, strength and flexibility. Other may or may not respond to levodopa. common treatments for both parkinson 's and parkinsonisms include physical, occupational and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). speech therapy; antidepressants and botulinum DLB is second only to Alzheimer's as the most toxin (Botox) for dystonia. For all the conditions, common cause of dementia in the elderly. It health care providers aim to treat the symptoms causes progressive intellectual and functional that most affect a person's quality of life.

6 Deterioration. In addition to the signs and symptoms of parkinson 's Disease , people with DLB tend to have frequent changes in thinking What should I do next? ability, level of attention or alertness and visual If you or a loved one is unsure if you have hallucinations. They usually do not have a tremor parkinson 's Disease or a form of Parkinsonism , or have only a slight tremor. The parkinsonian make an appointment with a movement disorders symptoms may or may not respond to levodopa. specialist (MDS). A MDS is a neurologist who has completed specialized training in parkinson 's Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) Disease and other movement disorders including CBD is the least common atypical Parkinsonism . the parkinsonisms discussed in this article. It usually develops after age 60. Symptoms Contact the parkinson 's Foundation Helpline to include a loss of function on one side of the locate a doctor near you: 1-800-4PD-INFO (473- body, involuntary and jerky movements of a 4636) or limb and speech problems.

7 It may become difficult or impossible to use the affected limb although there is no weakness or sensory loss. Resources The individual may feel as if the limb is not under Lewy Body Dementia Association his/her voluntary control. There is no specific (800) 539-9767. treatment at this time for CBD. The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition Diagnosis (866) 737-5999. There is no definitive test to detect parkinson 's Disease or Parkinsonism . For diagnosis, doctors Cure PSP: Foundation for PSP, CBD and Related take a thorough medical history and may request Brain Diseases a number of movement tests. Because of the (800) 457-4777. observational nature of the diagnosis, parkinson 's can sometimes be confused with Parkinsonism , 800. ( ) 2018.