Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that worsens over time. It typically strikes people in their 50s and 60s and affects 1 million people in the United States. Treatment is available, but the quality of life for sufferers is severely affected. Some sufferers can live independently, while others require long-term care. But how can Parkinson’s affect sleep? Let us take a look at some of the ways that Parkinson’s and sleep are related and some treatments that can help.
Drugs Used to Treat Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease that affects one’s ability to move, think, and swallow. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but symptoms of this disease can be treated with drugs. One treatment designed to relieve symptoms is L-dopa or levodopa, an oral medication converted to dopamine in the brain. Unfortunately, L-dopa can cause side effects such as nausea, hypotension, and dyskinesia. Another treatment, pramipexole, acts by preventing dopamine from degrading, which allows it to work more effectively. It is already FDA approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s and has been shown to reduce dyskinesia. More general treatments include sleeping meds, painkillers, and cannabis. This is a slight boon as people suffering from Parkinson’s may have limited mobility or motor function, so they can always Order Concentrates By Mail and manage their symptoms. Until a cure is found, managing symptoms using a variety of drugs is the best that can be done by those suffering from this disease.
Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes patients to suffer motor impairment and low-level tremors. As a progress, symptoms include stiffness, rigidity, impaired balance, slowed movements, and impaired speech. The cause of anxiety and depression is unknown, but researchers believe it involves a loss of neurons in the brain. This loss of neurons results in chemical imbalances in the brain, which is partially responsible for the symptoms of PD.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
The human body has a natural rhythm or cycles that it follows on a daily basis. This cycle is called the circadian rhythm and affects how the body functions. The circadian rhythm consists of 24 hours: each hour has a corresponding cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Many disorders are associated with circadian rhythm, including sleep-wake disorder, delayed sleep phase disorder, irregular sleep-wake rhythm, and circadian rhythm disorder. Circadian rhythm disorders are a group of disorders that occur due to irregular sleep/wake cycles. They typically present with symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and changes in behaviour and mood. These disorders are first identified by a doctor or psychologist using a detailed sleep diary, which explains when the symptoms occur.
Parkinson’s Symptoms, Including Pain and Frequent Urination
Parkinson’s disease affects 1.4 million people in the United States and is the most common neurological disorder among older adults. Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s, many treatment options can help control symptoms, including medication, physical therapy, and sleep aids. As the disease progresses, a patient may suffer from greater symptoms, such as slowing of movement, stiffness, fatigue, and difficulty walking. Parkinson’s disease can also cause pain, such as aching in the limbs and frequent urination, because of the weakening of muscles in the bladder.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when your upper airway disrupts your breathing. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which your airways are so narrowed by soft tissue or other objects that you cannot breathe for brief periods or hundreds of times during the night. Sleep apnea is a serious condition but can affect only a select few people.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome or RLS is an involuntary movement disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs. The sensations can range from mild tingling or itching to deep aching or burning. The sensations can be worse at night when lying down. Many people with restless legs syndrome feel the urge to move their legs as if they are being drawn to the sensation, even though they feel no urge to do so.
REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder
A combination of REM sleep behaviour disorder and sleep apnea can be a serious health risk. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects a number of people. While the exact conditions that cause sleep apnea are not known, one thing is certain: the disorder can cause major disruptions to a person’s sleep. A lack of sleep can lead to daytime drowsiness and impairment. And when someone suffers from REM sleep behaviour disorder, the sleep disruption can worsen yet further.