Parkinson’s disease and bladder problems

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and fluctuating neurological condition which affects movements such as walking, writing, and swallowing.

Parkinson’s disease occurs when there are cells lost from the part of the brain that controls movement. These lost cells are the cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that allows us to perform co-ordinated movements by transmitting messages between nerve cells and muscles. If approximately, 80% of the dopamine has been lost, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.

It is not known what causes the depletion of dopamine producing cells. Research into the cause is currently focussed on genetics and environmental factors and how they interact to cause the condition.

There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

• Tremor – shaking normally begins in one hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the affected part of the body is at rest. Tremor will usually lessen when the affected part is being used, and may become noticeable to others when a person affected by Parkinson’s is anxious or excited.
• Muscular rigidity or stiffness – this can be a common and early sign in untreated people with Parkinson’s. People may notice that they begin to experience problems with everyday mobility such as getting out of bed or fastening a button. In some people, their posture and facial expressions maybe affected by stiffness.
• Slowness of movement – people with Parkinson’s may find that initiating movements becomes increasingly difficult or that it takes them longer to perform movements.

There are other symptoms that you may experience with Parkinson’s such as tiredness, depression, a loss of confidence, swallowing problems and issues with balance.