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- Sleep Issues: Parkinson’s disease can cause a variety of sleep-related problems, including excessive daytime fatigue, insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, nightmares, and sporadic and uncontrolled movements during sleep. These sleep issues can cause fatigue and affect the quality of life of the patient. “Sleep Disorders in Neurology: A Practical Approach” by Birgit Högl and Ambra Stefani is a clinical guide that covers sleep disorders in neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.
- Balance: Parkinson’s disease can have a negative impact on balance due to its focus on nerve cells deep within an individual’s brain. This occurs due to the deterioration of the neurons responsible for controlling balance. As the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly challenging for the patient to maintain their balance. “Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and Clinical Management” by Stewart A. Factor and William J. Weiner is a clinical guide that covers the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease, including its impact on balance.
- Bradykinesia: Bradykinesia means “absence of movement” or “slowness.” It results in differing signs and symptoms, such as slow movement and stiff limbs. Someone who suffers from this may show difficulty starting a movement or simply walk more slowly. Those who suffer from it might feel it is linked to muscle weakness. Still, it has nothing to do with muscle strength. This occurs due to the deterioration of the neurons responsible for controlling movement. “Movement Disorders: A Video Atlas” by Joseph Jankovic is a comprehensive guide that covers various movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and Bradykinesia.
- Facial Expressions: An early symptom of Parkinson’s disease can involve the decreased ability to make facial expressions, often referred to as facial masking. This is connected to bradykinesia as the muscles in the face move more slowly or more rigidly than normal. Those who suffer from “facial masking” can seem emotionless or blank. It may also cause slower eye-blinking movement. “Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists” by Mark Simon is a book that offers a detailed guide on facial expressions, including the changes caused by facial masking in Parkinson’s disease.
- Voice Volume: A person with Parkinson’s disease may begin to speak more softly or begin to talk at a normal volume, but then their voice fades away or becomes softer. This occurs due to the deterioration of the neurons responsible for controlling the muscles involved in speech. “Parkinson’s Disease and the Art of Moving” by John Argue is a self-help book that offers tips on how to improve the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson’s disease, including techniques to help with speech problems.
- Posture: Parkinson’s disease can cause changes in posture, with changes in muscle rigidity. The patient appears stooped or hunched over when they stand. This occurs due to the loss of muscle control in the back muscles, affecting the posture of the patient. “Posture, Get it Straight!” by Janice Novak is a self-help book that offers tips and techniques to improve posture, including exercises that can benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
- Constipation: Close to 25 percent of individuals with Parkinson’s experience constipation prior to noticing the motor symptoms generally linked to the disease. Constipation occurs due to the degeneration of neurons responsible for controlling bowel movements. “The Better Bladder Book: A Holistic Approach to Healing Interstitial Cystitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain” by Wendy L. Cohan is a self-help book that offers tips on managing bladder and bowel problems, including constipation, which can be experienced by individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
- Mental Health: Parkinson’s disease can decrease a person’s normal levels of dopamine, which affects behavior and mood. Patients may experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, dementia, psychosis, difficulty staying organized, problem-solving, making plans, and confusion. These mental health issues can significantly affect the quality of life of the patient. “The Mind Diet: A Scientific Approach to Enhancing Brain Function and Helping Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia” by Maggie Moon is a self-help book that offers tips on how to improve mental health and cognitive function, which can be helpful for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
