Hand tremors are Parkinson's? Do you know these misconceptions?

Parkinson's disease (PD), also known as tremor paralysis, is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. Typical clinical manifestations include resting tremor, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, posture and gait disorders and other motor symptoms.

At present, Parkinson's disease has become the third largest killer that seriously threatens the physical and mental health of the elderly after "cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases" and "Alzheimer's disease". It is also listed as one of the three major neurological diseases of the elderly, along with stroke and dementia. The number of patients has increased as the aging rate in various countries accelerates. We must correctly understand Parkinson's disease knowledge, give full care and attention to Parkinson's patients, give them attention and sufficient understanding and respect, so that the flower of life of Parkinson's patients can bloom with healthy and brilliant brilliance.

The theme of this year's 28th World Parkinson's Day is "Pay attention to mental health and comprehensive management throughout the process." Let's learn about some common misconceptions about Parkinson's disease.

1. Does hand tremor mean Parkinson's disease?

Hand tremors are one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but hand tremors do not necessarily mean Parkinson's disease.

Hand shaking is medically called "tremor", and tremor can be divided into many types. The tremor of Parkinson's patients is called "resting tremor", which occurs when the patient is at rest, is relieved during random activities, is aggravated by mental tension, and disappears during sleep. Physiological tremor, essential tremor, drug-induced tremor, etc. may all be the causes of hand shaking.

Some patients do not have symptoms of resting tremor, but only have bradykinesia and muscle rigidity, which can easily lead to misjudgment. That is, the presence of resting tremor does not mean that you have Parkinson's disease, and people with Parkinson's disease do not necessarily have resting tremor.

2. Only the elderly will suffer from Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a common disease among middle-aged and elderly people, but in recent years it has gradually become younger. Some children of elderly Parkinson's patients were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at a relatively young age. This is mainly due to the influence of genetic factors.

Parkinson's patients will pass on the Parkinson's disease gene to their children, making them likely to develop Parkinson's-related symptoms at a young age, and often more severe. In addition, the cause of Parkinson's disease across age groups is also related to psychological stress, and is also often caused by viral encephalitis, brain trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning, or medication. These are all possible reasons for the trend of Parkinson's disease becoming younger.

3. Parkinson's disease = Alzheimer's disease?

Parkinson's disease patients may experience cognitive decline in the late stage, but this does not mean that all cognitive impairment is caused by Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer's disease, especially Alzheimer's disease, is caused by lesions in the hippocampus area of ​​the temporal lobe of the brain, and is mainly manifested as memory loss, especially recent memory, while Parkinson's disease mainly affects motor function, and physical symptoms such as trembling hands and feet, stiffness, and slow movement are more obvious.

4. Parkinson's disease only affects motor function?

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder whose clinical manifestations are divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.

Motor symptoms include resting tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, postural balance disorders, etc.; non-motor symptoms include constipation, olfactory disorders, sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and mental and cognitive disorders.

Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, loss of smell, depression, and constipation appear in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, even before motor symptoms appear; cognitive impairment and mental abnormalities usually appear in the middle and late stages of Parkinson's disease.

5. Is Parkinson’s disease incurable?

Parkinson's disease is not an incurable disease, nor is it a fatal disease. With the continuous innovation and progress of medical technology, there are more and more treatments. Patients in the early and middle stages can significantly improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease through drug treatment.

For Parkinson's patients, it is emphasized that once Parkinson's is diagnosed early, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Through timely and correct treatment, most patients' hand tremors, bradykinesia and non-motor symptoms can be effectively improved, so that they can have the same quality of life as ordinary people and enjoy life and work more freely.

For patients in the middle and late stages of the disease, deep brain stimulation (brain pacemaker for short) has been widely used in clinical treatments at home and abroad, greatly improving symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia in patients in the middle and late stages of the disease, and greatly improving the quality of life of patients.

6. Can I stop taking the medicine after the symptoms are relieved?

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration and necrosis of dopamine neurons in the brain, and requires lifelong medication. Currently, the treatment of Parkinson's disease is generally symptomatic, and the disease cannot be cured. If the patient does not receive treatment, the condition will continue to progress.

After receiving treatment and achieving good results, Parkinson's patients should not stop taking the medicine without authorization. The correct approach is to persist in consolidating treatment. Symptom improvement only means that the disease is under control, not that the disease has been cured. Unauthorized reduction or discontinuation of medication may lead to worsening symptoms or serious side effects.

Reviewers: Ma Jun (Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University), Wang Congying (Renji College of Wenzhou Medical University)