Adaptive clothing will make dressing easier and more dignified for Parkinson’s Disease

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, dressing unfortunately becomes increasingly difficult – both independently and with assistance.

In order to maintain independence for as long as possible, it is important to dress wearing clothes that are easy to get dressed in and out of. Designed to Care is committed to providing you with specifically designed Parkinson’s Disease adaptive clothing options

To prolong independent dressing we have replaced all fiddly buttons with (colour coordinated) pop-fasteners and sturdy zips all of which have easy grip ties to grab a hold of. We have also made the clothes accessible from both large side and back openings which require less precision.

If assistance is provided with dressing or if mobility is an issue, our adapted clothing will also improve assisted dressing as it will be easier and quicker for a care giver – in particular, the back opening clothes reduce the need to lift or twist.

Parkinson's Disease is considered to be a chronic condition by HMRC, click here to find out more about chronic illness and disabled vat relief on adaptive clothing

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Symptoms

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually begin slowly and develop gradually, in no particular order.

Parkinson's disease affects everybody differently. Each person with the condition will have a different collection of symptoms and will respond differently to treatment. The severity of the symptoms also varies between people.

There are three main symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)

Parkinson's disease can make moving difficult, particularly when you try to start moving, and it can take you longer to perform tasks.

You may lack co-ordination in your movements. Often, this slowness of movement is attributed to old age. This means that some people are not diagnosed with Parkinson's disease until other symptoms develop.

Shaking (tremor)

Shaking usually begins in one of your hands or arms. It is more likely to occur when the particular part of your body is at rest. Shaking usually decreases when you are using the body part, and it can be more noticeable when you are stressed or anxious.

The presence of a tremor does not necessarily mean that you have Parkinson's disease. Tremor is also a symptom of other conditions and is most commonly due to a harmless condition called essential tremor.

Although most people associate Parkinson's disease with tremor, up to 30% of people with the condition do not have tremor.

Stiffness of muscles (rigidity)

If you have Parkinson's disease, your muscles may feel tense. Due to the stiffness, you may have trouble performing simple everyday tasks.

For example, you may find it difficult to turn around, get out of a chair and roll over in bed. Fine finger movements, facial expressions and body language may also become difficult.

Other symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease include:

  • tiredness
  • constipation and bladder weakness
  • depression
  • problems with handwriting, speech and balance
  • difficulty swallowing

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Parkinsonism

When seen together, the three main symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (slowness of movement, shaking and stiffness) are known as parkinsonism. Parkinsonism does not only happen in Parkinson’s disease. This collection of symptoms can be caused by drugs or other conditions, including:

  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA). This neurodegenerative disorder affects your motor system (it causes the deterioration of brain signals to the muscles and limbs responsible for movement).
  • Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). This is another degenerative disorder that affects vision and movement.

Both of the above disorders have similar symptoms and effects as Parkinson's disease.

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Diagnosis

No tests can conclusively show that you have Parkinson's disease. Your doctor will base a diagnosis on your symptoms, your medical history and the results of a clinical examination.

Your GP will ask you some questions and may get you to perform a task or walk around. This will help with the diagnosis.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your GP may find it difficult to say whether you definitely have the condition because symptoms are usually mild.

If your GP suspects that you have Parkinson's disease, you will be referred to a specialist (a neurologist or geriatrician). If your GP thinks that you may be in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, you should see a specialist within six weeks. If they think you may be in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease, you should see a specialist within two weeks.

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Diagnostic tests

Although no test can conclusively diagnose Parkinson’s disease, your specialist may offer you a test that will allow them to look more closely at your brain.

SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scan

To help the specialist understand what is causing your tremor, you may be offered a scan of your brain called a SPECT scan (trade name DaT scan). This takes a series of pictures of your brain to find out whether there is any dopamine deficiency, which is seen in Parkinson's disease.

MRI scan

Your specialist may offer you an MRI scan. This can help them rule out other conditions that may have caused your symptoms.

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Causes

Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The nerve cells in this part of the brain are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine acts as a messenger between the brain and the nervous system, and helps control and co-ordinate body movements.

If these nerve cells become damaged or die, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced. This means that the part of the brain that controls movement cannot work so well, which causes movements to become slow and abnormal.

The loss of nerve cells is a slow process. The level of dopamine in the brain falls over time. Only when 80% of the nerve cells in the substantia nigra have been lost will the symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear and become gradually worse.

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Why does Parkinson's disease occur?

It is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with Parkinson's disease occurs. Research is ongoing to identify potential causes.

Genetics

Some research has shown that Parkinson's disease tends to run in families. The exact role that genetics plays in causing Parkinson's disease is unclear. Studies have shown a link between a number of different genes and the development of Parkinson's disease.

It is likely that having these genes makes people more vulnerable to developing the condition. However, having the genes does not necessarily mean that you will develop Parkinson's disease.

Environmental factors

Other research is being carried out into environmental factors, such as toxins and pesticides. It is thought these may directly damage the brain, causing nerve cells to die.

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