Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
Parkinsons Disease
P1 Introduction
Parkinson's neurodegenerative disease affects the body's nervous system,
in which nerve cells near the base of the brain (specifically the substantia
nigra) that produce the chemical dopamine become damaged and die,
leading to a lack of dopamine in the brain. (Parkinsons UK, 2025). This
leads to the brain progressively becoming more damaged over many
years. Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate body movement, so as
dopamine levels decline, body movement declines as well. (NHS, 2024)
Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s begin to develop symptoms over
the age of 50, but in some cases, people as young as 40 can notice
symptoms present in the body. Data also shows there is a higher chance
of men being diagnosed with Parkinson's compared to women. As of 2025
in the UK, on average, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's every 20
minutes, resulting in around 166,000 people in the UK living today with
Parkinsons. This number is estimated to increase by more than double in
the next two decades. By the time people usually start noticing
symptoms, it is estimated that around 60% to 80% of the nerve cells
producing dopamine have already died. (National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, 2025). Studies estimate an average life expectancy
of over 14 years after diagnosis, and many individuals can even live 20+
years with management of symptoms. There is still currently no cure for
Parkinson's disease; treatments and therapies are used to manage
symptoms, such as medication and physiotherapy. These aim to improve
quality of life, but can't fully reverse Parkinson's.
P1 Causes/ Risk Factors
The cause of Parkinson's, due to the loss of nerve cells, is currently
believed to be due to genetic changes and environmental factors.
However, research is still ongoing to identify the causes. Studies have
shown that exposure to pesticides, a chemical used to kill or repel animal
and plant life, in rural areas has been linked to an increased risk of
Parkinson's disease. (National Institute of Enviornmental Health Sciences,
2025). Parkinsons has also been linked to heritage and genetics; people
with close relatives diagnosed with the condition are found to have an
increased risk of developing the condition themselves, which is found to
be the result of a faulty gene mutation passed through the family (NHS,
2022). However, this is a rare cause for Parkinson's; only around 5%-10%
of cases are believed to be familial. (M. Toffoli, 2022). Age can also play a
part in the risk factors of Parkinson's. The onset of Parkinson's is found to
happen during the early to mid-60’s, but in some cases, early-onset
Parkinson’s can begin before the age of 50. The condition develops with
Page 1 of 33
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
age, and symptoms become more present (National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2025). Extreme drug use has also been
linked to Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disease, caused by a
neurotoxin found in illegal drugs ‘MPTP, often sold in ‘synthetic heroin’.
This drug has been documented to cause the development of chronic
Parkinson’s disease symptoms in drug abusers. MPTP destroys nerve cells,
leading to reduced dopamine production; therefore, messages aren’t
being sent from the brain to the body to produce movement. (Department
of Health and Human Services, 2001). Parkinson's is also a common result
of experiencing repeated head trauma, such as that of a boxer. It's not a
certainty, but studies have shown it increases the risk of Parkinson’s
through damage to the neurons in the brain. (John Hopkins Medicine,
n.d.). Other progressive brain conditions, such as progressive
supranuclear palsy, have also been linked to the development of
Parkinson’s disease, having similar symptoms with movement and
balance. (NHS, 2025). Research conducted in studies done at Fudan
University linked specific diets to early signs of Parkinson’s. People who
consumed a lot of highly processed foods, such as processed meat, were
more likely to show early symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. These
foods have been known to cause oxidative stress and damage the neurons
linked to Parkinson’s disease. (Tuhin, 2025). Surprisingly, smoking actually
lowers the risk of Parkinson’s. Based on studies, rates of Parkinson’s are
lower in cigarette smokers compared to the general population. It’s not
fully understood why this happens, but scientists think there’s a protective
chemical in cigarette smoke that protects against Parkinson’s. (American
Parkinson Disease Association, 2018).
P1 Signs and Symptoms
A sign is something we can see/observe that may indicate a possible
medical issue. Signs aren’t always visible to the individual, and often
people don’t even feel them. For example, finding an abnormal lump in
the breasts can often be missed by the individual, but a doctor may notice
it; abnormal lumps can often be a sign of breast cancer. Some signs can
be internal to the body, such as a rapid heart rate or a high red blood cell
count; these are signs that can be observed through examinations.
Symptoms are things we feel but aren’t always visible or measurable.
Symptoms can also vary from person to person since they are based on
feelings and opinions, linked to an individual's pain tolerance and the
severity of symptoms. A key example of a symptom is fatigue, which is
common across many conditions, such as heart disease and Lupus.
Symptoms can be acute and not last very long, or they can be considered
Page 2 of 33
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
chronic, meaning they’re long-lasting and develop. (Cleveland Clinic,
2025)
Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are mostly revolved around body function
and are impacted due to the loss of nerve cells. Tremors are a very
common symptom of Parkinson's disease, but not everyone experiences
this symptom. Often first present in the individual's hands, but other body
parts can also be affected, such as the jaw. Usually, the tremor is most
noticeable when the body is resting or under a lot of stress. The tremor
associated with Parkinson's affects approximately 80% of people
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. (American Parkinson Disease
Association, n.d.). In most cases, the tremor eventually plateaus and stops
worsening, or some individuals have even experienced it virtually
disappear over approximately a decade. Slowness of movement is another
widespread symptom of Parkinson’s; the medical term for this symptom is
bradykinesia. Movement gradually slows, and spontaneous movement
becomes increasingly difficult. Normal daily tasks, such as getting
dressed, will begin to take more energy and more time to complete. In
extreme cases, automatic movements like blinking will take more thought
and effort to do, no longer being a thoughtless movement. (Mayo Clinic,
2024). Muscle pain and cramps can be a cause of rigidity, meaning
muscles become stiff and lack movement. If muscles have difficulty
stretching and relaxing, balancing can also become increasingly difficult.
(Parkinson's UK, 2023). This can also lead to gross and fine motor skills
declining, combining the muscle stiffness alongside the tremor, making
daily tasks increasingly difficult. (Pathak, 2025). Individuals with
Parkinson’s may also develop poor posture with a stooped head and
shoulders, and shuffling feet is also commonly used, since the bigger
movement of taking steps can cause a lot of pain and may not even be
possible due to the stiffness of muscles. This can lead to balance being
compromised and being prone to falls. (Juber, 2025). Individuals with
Parkinson’s can also experience what is known as ‘freezing’, which is
believed to be the delay from the brain to the body to move, often
described as feeling glued to the floor and unable to move for about a
minute or so in most cases or in advanced Parkinson’s. (Parkinson's UK,
2024).
Non-motor symptoms are unrelated to movement and can lead to mental
health impacts as well. Broken sleep and lack of sleep are very common
symptoms for people with Parkinson’s; nightmares and fatigue during the
day are also very common. This can often be a cause of Parkinson’s due to
the amount of energy the body is using to create movements. Still,
Parkinson’s medication could also be a cause of sleeping problems if
dosages aren’t measured correctly or if they are missed/taken late, the
Page 3 of 33
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
body will be disturbed trying to regulate body temperature, and stop
tremors. (Care Learning, 2025). Changes in speech are also widespread
for people living with Parkinson’s. Speech often becomes slower while the
individual is searching for the words they want or, in some cases, faster
and unclear due to stuttering. Masking can also affect how their words are
interpreted by others and make people think they are uninterested in the
conversation or having opposing emotions in relevance to the
conversation. (Parkinson's Foundation , n.d.). Masking, also known by the
medical term ‘hypomimia’, is a symptom of Parkinson’s in itself, not just a
factor of speech changes; it's due to the face becoming rigid and slower to
respond. When a masked face happens, it’s because the facial motor
control isn’t working as it should be. Automatic facial reactions such as
smiling can be delayed or absent altogether as Parkinson’s progresses,
creating an imbalance between thoughts/speech and facial emotions,
sometimes appearing angry or sad despite no relevance to the situation,
or, in some cases, completely emotionless. (Whelan, 2021). Constipation
is a symptom of Parkinson’s that affects approximately two-thirds of
people diagnosed. Due to the dopamine deficiency caused by Parkinson’s,
an individual’s digestive system can slow down or begin to function
poorly, resulting in negative effects on bowel movements. Often, the
movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine can be
delayed, leading to gastroparesis, which can further cause weight
fluctuations and insufficient nutrition and fluids, leading to ill health and
increased fatigue. (Lee, 2022). Light-headedness, also called ‘neurogenic
orthostatic hypotension’, can often be a symptom of Parkinson’s or
Parkinson’s medication. It is typically the result of a sudden drop in blood
pressure when going from sitting to standing. (WedMD, 2024). This is
because the nervous system is not able to release norepinephrine, a
chemical that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, resulting
in the feeling of light-headedness, dizziness, vision can also be impacted
and become blurry. (Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.). Many individuals with
Parkinson’s experience memory issues, concentration skills typically
decline, alongside the ability to multitask/ problem solve. It is estimated
that about 40% of people with Parkinson’s have Parkinson’s disease
dementia, grouped under the umbrella term of Lewy body dementia,
‘PDD’, often starting with motor symptoms, and as the disease
progresses, they later develop dementia. PDD can consist of memory
difficulties, hallucinations, and an increased sense of paranoia. (The
Michael J. Fox Foundation, n.d.). Research is still ongoing to understand
how the brain changes in relation to memory difficulties. One researched
reason is that the build-up of proteins in the brain affects different parts of
the brain, therefore affecting thinking and memory ability. (Parkinson's UK,
2023). Individuals with Parkinson’s are commonly affected by low moods
Page 4 of 33
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
Parkinsons Disease
P1 Introduction
Parkinson's neurodegenerative disease affects the body's nervous system,
in which nerve cells near the base of the brain (specifically the substantia
nigra) that produce the chemical dopamine become damaged and die,
leading to a lack of dopamine in the brain. (Parkinsons UK, 2025). This
leads to the brain progressively becoming more damaged over many
years. Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate body movement, so as
dopamine levels decline, body movement declines as well. (NHS, 2024)
Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s begin to develop symptoms over
the age of 50, but in some cases, people as young as 40 can notice
symptoms present in the body. Data also shows there is a higher chance
of men being diagnosed with Parkinson's compared to women. As of 2025
in the UK, on average, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's every 20
minutes, resulting in around 166,000 people in the UK living today with
Parkinsons. This number is estimated to increase by more than double in
the next two decades. By the time people usually start noticing
symptoms, it is estimated that around 60% to 80% of the nerve cells
producing dopamine have already died. (National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, 2025). Studies estimate an average life expectancy
of over 14 years after diagnosis, and many individuals can even live 20+
years with management of symptoms. There is still currently no cure for
Parkinson's disease; treatments and therapies are used to manage
symptoms, such as medication and physiotherapy. These aim to improve
quality of life, but can't fully reverse Parkinson's.
P1 Causes/ Risk Factors
The cause of Parkinson's, due to the loss of nerve cells, is currently
believed to be due to genetic changes and environmental factors.
However, research is still ongoing to identify the causes. Studies have
shown that exposure to pesticides, a chemical used to kill or repel animal
and plant life, in rural areas has been linked to an increased risk of
Parkinson's disease. (National Institute of Enviornmental Health Sciences,
2025). Parkinsons has also been linked to heritage and genetics; people
with close relatives diagnosed with the condition are found to have an
increased risk of developing the condition themselves, which is found to
be the result of a faulty gene mutation passed through the family (NHS,
2022). However, this is a rare cause for Parkinson's; only around 5%-10%
of cases are believed to be familial. (M. Toffoli, 2022). Age can also play a
part in the risk factors of Parkinson's. The onset of Parkinson's is found to
happen during the early to mid-60’s, but in some cases, early-onset
Parkinson’s can begin before the age of 50. The condition develops with
Page 1 of 33
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
age, and symptoms become more present (National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2025). Extreme drug use has also been
linked to Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disease, caused by a
neurotoxin found in illegal drugs ‘MPTP, often sold in ‘synthetic heroin’.
This drug has been documented to cause the development of chronic
Parkinson’s disease symptoms in drug abusers. MPTP destroys nerve cells,
leading to reduced dopamine production; therefore, messages aren’t
being sent from the brain to the body to produce movement. (Department
of Health and Human Services, 2001). Parkinson's is also a common result
of experiencing repeated head trauma, such as that of a boxer. It's not a
certainty, but studies have shown it increases the risk of Parkinson’s
through damage to the neurons in the brain. (John Hopkins Medicine,
n.d.). Other progressive brain conditions, such as progressive
supranuclear palsy, have also been linked to the development of
Parkinson’s disease, having similar symptoms with movement and
balance. (NHS, 2025). Research conducted in studies done at Fudan
University linked specific diets to early signs of Parkinson’s. People who
consumed a lot of highly processed foods, such as processed meat, were
more likely to show early symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. These
foods have been known to cause oxidative stress and damage the neurons
linked to Parkinson’s disease. (Tuhin, 2025). Surprisingly, smoking actually
lowers the risk of Parkinson’s. Based on studies, rates of Parkinson’s are
lower in cigarette smokers compared to the general population. It’s not
fully understood why this happens, but scientists think there’s a protective
chemical in cigarette smoke that protects against Parkinson’s. (American
Parkinson Disease Association, 2018).
P1 Signs and Symptoms
A sign is something we can see/observe that may indicate a possible
medical issue. Signs aren’t always visible to the individual, and often
people don’t even feel them. For example, finding an abnormal lump in
the breasts can often be missed by the individual, but a doctor may notice
it; abnormal lumps can often be a sign of breast cancer. Some signs can
be internal to the body, such as a rapid heart rate or a high red blood cell
count; these are signs that can be observed through examinations.
Symptoms are things we feel but aren’t always visible or measurable.
Symptoms can also vary from person to person since they are based on
feelings and opinions, linked to an individual's pain tolerance and the
severity of symptoms. A key example of a symptom is fatigue, which is
common across many conditions, such as heart disease and Lupus.
Symptoms can be acute and not last very long, or they can be considered
Page 2 of 33
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
chronic, meaning they’re long-lasting and develop. (Cleveland Clinic,
2025)
Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are mostly revolved around body function
and are impacted due to the loss of nerve cells. Tremors are a very
common symptom of Parkinson's disease, but not everyone experiences
this symptom. Often first present in the individual's hands, but other body
parts can also be affected, such as the jaw. Usually, the tremor is most
noticeable when the body is resting or under a lot of stress. The tremor
associated with Parkinson's affects approximately 80% of people
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. (American Parkinson Disease
Association, n.d.). In most cases, the tremor eventually plateaus and stops
worsening, or some individuals have even experienced it virtually
disappear over approximately a decade. Slowness of movement is another
widespread symptom of Parkinson’s; the medical term for this symptom is
bradykinesia. Movement gradually slows, and spontaneous movement
becomes increasingly difficult. Normal daily tasks, such as getting
dressed, will begin to take more energy and more time to complete. In
extreme cases, automatic movements like blinking will take more thought
and effort to do, no longer being a thoughtless movement. (Mayo Clinic,
2024). Muscle pain and cramps can be a cause of rigidity, meaning
muscles become stiff and lack movement. If muscles have difficulty
stretching and relaxing, balancing can also become increasingly difficult.
(Parkinson's UK, 2023). This can also lead to gross and fine motor skills
declining, combining the muscle stiffness alongside the tremor, making
daily tasks increasingly difficult. (Pathak, 2025). Individuals with
Parkinson’s may also develop poor posture with a stooped head and
shoulders, and shuffling feet is also commonly used, since the bigger
movement of taking steps can cause a lot of pain and may not even be
possible due to the stiffness of muscles. This can lead to balance being
compromised and being prone to falls. (Juber, 2025). Individuals with
Parkinson’s can also experience what is known as ‘freezing’, which is
believed to be the delay from the brain to the body to move, often
described as feeling glued to the floor and unable to move for about a
minute or so in most cases or in advanced Parkinson’s. (Parkinson's UK,
2024).
Non-motor symptoms are unrelated to movement and can lead to mental
health impacts as well. Broken sleep and lack of sleep are very common
symptoms for people with Parkinson’s; nightmares and fatigue during the
day are also very common. This can often be a cause of Parkinson’s due to
the amount of energy the body is using to create movements. Still,
Parkinson’s medication could also be a cause of sleeping problems if
dosages aren’t measured correctly or if they are missed/taken late, the
Page 3 of 33
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
body will be disturbed trying to regulate body temperature, and stop
tremors. (Care Learning, 2025). Changes in speech are also widespread
for people living with Parkinson’s. Speech often becomes slower while the
individual is searching for the words they want or, in some cases, faster
and unclear due to stuttering. Masking can also affect how their words are
interpreted by others and make people think they are uninterested in the
conversation or having opposing emotions in relevance to the
conversation. (Parkinson's Foundation , n.d.). Masking, also known by the
medical term ‘hypomimia’, is a symptom of Parkinson’s in itself, not just a
factor of speech changes; it's due to the face becoming rigid and slower to
respond. When a masked face happens, it’s because the facial motor
control isn’t working as it should be. Automatic facial reactions such as
smiling can be delayed or absent altogether as Parkinson’s progresses,
creating an imbalance between thoughts/speech and facial emotions,
sometimes appearing angry or sad despite no relevance to the situation,
or, in some cases, completely emotionless. (Whelan, 2021). Constipation
is a symptom of Parkinson’s that affects approximately two-thirds of
people diagnosed. Due to the dopamine deficiency caused by Parkinson’s,
an individual’s digestive system can slow down or begin to function
poorly, resulting in negative effects on bowel movements. Often, the
movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine can be
delayed, leading to gastroparesis, which can further cause weight
fluctuations and insufficient nutrition and fluids, leading to ill health and
increased fatigue. (Lee, 2022). Light-headedness, also called ‘neurogenic
orthostatic hypotension’, can often be a symptom of Parkinson’s or
Parkinson’s medication. It is typically the result of a sudden drop in blood
pressure when going from sitting to standing. (WedMD, 2024). This is
because the nervous system is not able to release norepinephrine, a
chemical that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, resulting
in the feeling of light-headedness, dizziness, vision can also be impacted
and become blurry. (Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.). Many individuals with
Parkinson’s experience memory issues, concentration skills typically
decline, alongside the ability to multitask/ problem solve. It is estimated
that about 40% of people with Parkinson’s have Parkinson’s disease
dementia, grouped under the umbrella term of Lewy body dementia,
‘PDD’, often starting with motor symptoms, and as the disease
progresses, they later develop dementia. PDD can consist of memory
difficulties, hallucinations, and an increased sense of paranoia. (The
Michael J. Fox Foundation, n.d.). Research is still ongoing to understand
how the brain changes in relation to memory difficulties. One researched
reason is that the build-up of proteins in the brain affects different parts of
the brain, therefore affecting thinking and memory ability. (Parkinson's UK,
2023). Individuals with Parkinson’s are commonly affected by low moods
Page 4 of 33
