7 Signs of Stability in Parkinson’s Disease: Indicators of Good Health and Longevity

In the instance of Parkinson’s patients, how stable the disease is, is a measure of the patient’s quality of life and their life span. Every little change of the body during the long anti-Pa journey, was a source of worry and distress to patients and their loved ones. When these 7 signs of vigor manifest in the body, it means that the state of the disease is still very stable and that the patient is one step closer to health and longevity milestones.

I. Limb tremors are small and regular in amplitude

The limb tremor is one of the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Anyway, when the condition remains stable, the amplitude of limb tremor will be reduced by a large proportion and their regularity will be more pronounced. Such a normal and low tremor do not interfere with the patient’s daily life to a high extent. For instance, patients can perform the basic self-care activities such as dressing and washing with more ease, and handwriting is relatively neat when writing. This is an indication that the neurotransmitter balance in the patient is well maintained and dopaminergic neuron function is relatively stable, which makes the motor control of muscles more accurate and is a very important sign of stable condition.

II. reduced muscle stiffness

Muscle stiffening due to Parkinson’s disease is leading to an obvious resistance to body movements and patients often say it feels like the body is “bound”. When the condition is stable, the muscle stiffening is also reduced to a great extent. The patient was able to feel that the muscle extension and contraction were more efficient and the joints moved over a bigger range when he moved his limbs. For example, patients can turn and bend easily just like before and also it is not as tiresome to go up and down the stairs as it used to be.

III. Good coordination of movements

Poor coordination of movements in Parkinson’s patients is one of the major issues and those who are inclined to falls while walking and uncoordinated movements of both hands are among the most frequently encountered problems. Movement coordination of the patient improves significantly, when the condition is stable. They are not only able to do the movements of the body parts by themselves but also to completely coordinate different parts in the right way. Most probably, hands can complete the movements in an organized way while putting on shoes; during the walk steps become more steady and balance can be kept at a higher level thus causing falling to be less probable.

One of the factors that can make patients with Parkinson’s disease is that their facial expressions are dull, as if they were wearing a “mask” that prevents the expression of rich emotions. Patient facial expressions become more and more rich and normal when the condition stabilizes. The recovery of the facial expression function shows that the neurological function in the patient’s brain that controls facial muscle movement is restored and that the secretion and action of neurotransmitters such as dopamine are normal, which not only improves the patient’s quality of life, but also makes them better accepted by the society, maintain good mood, and have positive influence on longevity.

V. Significant improvement in sleep quality

Sleep disorder is one of the regularly seen complications in Parkinson patients and it manifests as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and early awakening. When the condition stays stable, the patient’s sleep will be much better. They will be able to get into deep sleep faster, not waking they will feel full and energetic the next day. Good sleep is the process of repairing and renewing the various organs of the body, it also strengthens the immune system, regulates the endocrine and is very needed for good health maintenance.

VI. Normal swallowing function

Many patients with Parkinson’s disease in the late stage will eventually have difficulty swallowing, which can result in insufficient food intake, choking, coughing, and even serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. On a good side, when the condition is stable, the patient’s swallowing function is normal. Without any significant choking, they can swallow food effortlessly. Normal swallowing function guarantees that the patient can take enough nutrition to keep the metabolic and physiological activities of the body at normal levels.

VII: Cognitive function remains good

With disease progression, some Parkinson’s patients also suffer from cognitive dysfunction, including memory loss, lack of concentration, and decreased thinking capacity. This not only severely impacts the patients’ abilities to take care of themselves in daily life but also greatly increases the care burden of the family. When the condition is stable, the cognitive functions of the patient’s brain are still good. They are able to keep memories, concentrate on different activities and think fast. The good cognitive function really enables patients to manage their health in the best way possible which includes the following of the doctor’s instructions for treatment and rehabilitation as well as the maintaining of a positive and optimistic mindset which has significant implications on the stability of the condition and longevity.

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