Life Stages and Treatment Options for Parkinson's Disease Lifespan
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disorder that affects movement and mental ability, and while it is not fatal in itself, complications can be life-threatening.
Most people with PD have a normal or near-normal life expectancy due to modern medications and treatments. However, the extent of the impact on life expectancy varies by disease subtype, age of onset, and access to healthcare.
PD is divided into five stages: stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4, and stage 5. Each stage represents an increase in the severity of symptoms.
In stage 1, treatments may include physical therapy to improve balance and address muscle stiffness, and regular exercise can improve strength, flexibility, and balance. A doctor may prescribe amantadine (Gocovri) to provide short-term relief of mild, early stage PD symptoms.
In stage 2, exercise and physical therapy may still be beneficial, and working with a speech-language pathologist and an occupational therapist may help address speech problems and everyday tasks, respectively. Certain medications may help minimize issues with movement and tremors, including carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and other drugs.
In stage 3, treatments and remedies from earlier stages may still be beneficial. This includes exercise, a balanced diet, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, medications, and alternative therapies.
As the disease progresses, complications can arise. Falls are a common cause of death for people with PD, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association. These falls often cause serious injuries and increase mortality risk. Aspiration pneumonia due to severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can also lead to death, particularly in advanced stages. Dementia, which affects about 30% of PD patients and is more common in severe or older cases, also reduces survival and quality of life.
In stage 5 of PD, a person may be unable to stand or walk and may require a wheelchair, and they may require assistance at all times and for all activities. Hallucinations and delusions are common in stage 5, affecting 20-40% of people with the condition, and the number increases with disease progression. People in stage 5 may also be more prone to injuries and infections, which could cause complications or be fatal.
Ethnicity has been found to be an important factor in PD, with nonwhite people - including Black and Asian people - having an increased risk of earlier death.
A 2018 study in the journal Neurology indicates that survival among those with PD is highly dependent on the type and characteristics of the disorder. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with PD to work closely with their healthcare providers to manage the disease and mitigate complications.
In conclusion, understanding the stages of PD, the available treatments, and the potential complications can help individuals with PD and their loved ones make informed decisions about care. With proper management and care, people with PD can maintain a good quality of life for many years.
- Chronic diseases like Alzheimer's and depression can also reduce survival and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly in severe or older cases, as dementia affects about 30% of PD patients.
- Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and COPD are some of the chronic diseases that could potentially arise due to prolonged immobility and complications associated with PD.
- In the science of health and wellness, predictive analytics (AQ) plays a significant role in understanding the type and characteristics of PD that might influence the survival of an individual.
- As the field of medicine advances, there is an increasing focus on managing chronic diseases like PD to improve life expectancy, especially in nonwhite populations, including Black and Asian individuals who have an increased risk of earlier death due to PD.
- Medications, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and alternative therapies are some of the treatments available in various stages of PD to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, and minimize issues with movement and tremors.
- In addition to medications, a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for managing chronic diseases like PD, as they can help improve overall health and wellness.
