How is Parkinson’s disease classified?

The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi Knapp Parkinson’s disease cannot be eliminated completely but its symptoms can be reduced, damages can be repaired and its progression can be delayed considerably by using various simple and natural things. In this eBook, a natural program to treat Parkinson’s disease is provided online. it includes 12 easy steps to repair your body and reduce the symptoms of this disease. The creator of this program has divided into four segments to cover a complete plan to treat this disease along with improving your health and life by knowing everything about this health problem. The main focus of this program is on boosting the levels of hormone in your brain by making e a few easy changes in your lifestyle, diet, and thoughts

How is Parkinson’s disease classified?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be classified in several ways, depending on the focus of classification. The most common methods of classification are based on the stage of the disease, the type and severity of symptoms, and the underlying pathology. Here is an in-depth look at the different ways Parkinson’s disease can be classified:

1. Classification by Stages: Hoehn and Yahr Scale

The Hoehn and Yahr scale is the most widely used system for classifying the stages of Parkinson’s disease. It categorizes the disease into five stages based on the severity of motor symptoms and the level of disability:

Stage 1:
- Symptoms are mild and affect only one side of the body (unilateral involvement).
- There may be slight tremor, minimal rigidity, and slight changes in posture, facial expression, or walking.
- Daily activities are usually not affected.
Stage 2:
- Symptoms affect both sides of the body (bilateral involvement), but there is no impairment of balance.
- Tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia are more noticeable.
- Daily activities may become more challenging but are still manageable.
Stage 3:
- Balance is impaired, and postural instability is noticeable.
- The patient is still physically independent but may experience difficulties with tasks that require balance.
- Increased risk of falls.
Stage 4:
- Severe symptoms with significant disability.
- The patient may require assistance with daily activities and is unable to live alone without considerable help.
- Walking and standing are possible but are significantly impaired.
Stage 5:
- The most advanced stage, characterized by severe disability.
- The patient is often bedridden or wheelchair-bound and requires around-the-clock care.
- Motor symptoms are severe, and non-motor symptoms may also be very prominent.

2. Classification by Type of Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism is a term that refers to a group of neurological disorders that cause movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is the most common form of parkinsonism, but there are other types:

Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease:
- The most common form, with no identifiable cause. It is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and the exclusion of other conditions.
Genetic Parkinson’s Disease:
- Caused by specific genetic mutations. Examples include mutations in the LRRK2, PARK7, PINK1, and SNCA genes.
Secondary Parkinsonism:
- Caused by external factors such as medications, toxins, infections, or other medical conditions.
- Examples include drug-induced parkinsonism, post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and parkinsonism due to brain injury or stroke.
Atypical Parkinsonism (Parkinson-Plus Syndromes):
- Conditions that have features of Parkinson’s disease but also include additional symptoms.
- Examples include Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).

3. Classification by Symptom Dominance

Parkinson’s disease can also be classified based on the predominance of certain symptoms:

Tremor-Dominant Parkinson’s Disease:
- Tremor is the most prominent symptom.
- Typically associated with a slower progression and better response to medication.
Akinetic-Rigid Parkinson’s Disease:
- Bradykinesia and rigidity are the predominant symptoms, with less tremor.
- Often associated with more rapid progression and greater disability.
Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty (PIGD) Parkinson’s Disease:
- Balance and walking problems are the most significant symptoms.
- Higher risk of falls and a faster progression of the disease.

4. Classification by Pathology

Lewy Body Parkinson’s Disease:
- Characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, which are abnormal aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein in neurons.
- This is the typical pathological hallmark of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinsonism without Lewy Bodies:
- Some cases of parkinsonism do not show Lewy bodies on post-mortem examination. These might be due to other pathologies, such as multiple system atrophy or progressive supranuclear palsy.

5. Classification by Response to Treatment

Levodopa-Responsive Parkinson’s Disease:
- Patients respond well to levodopa therapy, experiencing significant relief of motor symptoms.
- This is typical of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Levodopa-Resistant Parkinson’s Disease:
- Patients have minimal or no response to levodopa therapy.
- This is more common in atypical parkinsonism and secondary parkinsonism.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease can be classified in various ways, depending on the focus of the classification. The Hoehn and Yahr scale is commonly used to stage the disease based on the severity of motor symptoms. Additionally, Parkinson’s disease can be classified by the type of parkinsonism, symptom dominance, underlying pathology, and response to treatment. Understanding these classifications helps in diagnosing, managing, and researching Parkinson’s disease, ultimately aiming to improve patient care and outcomes.

Jodi Knapp