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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : April 22, 2022 11:07 AM IST
Recognizing and addressing these signs promptly is crucial for intervening early and improving outcomes in Parkinson’s disease. By raising awareness of the potential significance of constipation, sleep disruptions, and loss of smell, individuals can seek timely evaluation and appropriate care, ultimately enhancing their quality of life as they navigate the journey with Parkinson’s.
Studies show that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe effects on people who are also suffering from Parkinson's disease. Complications increased in frequency and duration and patients were at a higher risk of developing newer or worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms. It has been seen that hospitalised COVID-19 patients who had Parkinson's disease had a prolonged ICU stay or a hospital stay. Neurological disorders have also pushed up the mortality rates in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia. The viral disease has affected the brain to quite an extent. The immune response in the brain is what gets affected first and then there is the direct invasion of the coronavirus. And that is what requires more research to overcome the virus.
The global health crisis caused due to COVID-19 has brought about a lot of changes in the healthcare system. Follow this protocol to manage Parkinson's patients who have contracted COVID-19 and also to reduce the risk of infection.
Clinical experience has shown that patients with Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's, and Dementia had relapses or deteriorated further during the pandemic due to
There are newer treatment strategies that have come up in the management of Parkinson's disease. These include reducing the rate of disease progression, slowing the loss of the dopaminergic neurons, and decreasing the symptoms. The latest advancements in the management of Parkinsonism include the following:
1. Drug Repurposing
This is a tried-and-tested strategy that helps cut down the time required for a new drug to be used for managing Parkinsonism.
2. Deep Brain Stimulation
Electrodes are implanted into the brain surgically and the neural activity is modulated. This helps improve the motor symptoms and reduces fluctuations. Gut and urinary symptoms and sleep quality is also improved with the help of Deep Brain Stimulation.
If you have Parkinson's Disease, you are not necessarily at a higher risk of developing COVID-19. But, with age and other comorbidities, the risk of developing a serious case of COVID-19 exists. Most people with Parkinson's disease are older adults and are not able to care for themselves. Hence, you must follow general preventive measures that are to be followed for avoiding COVID-19. Along with the above-mentioned lists, caregivers must ensure the following:
Whether you have Parkinson's disease or not, it is essential to avoid getting infected with COVID-19. Parkinson's disease just increases your risks of developing serious complications. Consult your doctor if you happen to experience any of the above symptoms. People with Parkinson's Disease need to be extra careful and manage their condition in a more efficient manner.
(This article is authored by Dr Guruprasad Hosurkar, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur)
