Neurodegenerative diseases are brain conditions in which the nerve cells in the brain or spinal cord slowly stop working and eventually die. This damage starts slowly but leads to problems with memory, movement, speech, and other essential functions.
There are two of the most common types of neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
According to the World Health Organization, Alzheimer’s causes most cases of dementia, which affects nearly over 55 million people worldwide. Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition that affects more than 10 million people.
Today, in this guide, we will explore what these conditions are, how they affect the brain, and key signs to watch for.
How the Brain Changes in Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s
Our brain is made up of billions of neurons that communicate through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. In neurodegenerative diseases, these communication between neurons break down because of changes in brain structure and chemistry.
In Alzheimer Disease, the unusual proteins build up around and inside brain cells. This buildup disrupts connections, triggers inflammation, and causes brain cell death. Over time, this shrinks hippocampus and other cortical areas, which are the critical parts of the brain that mostly controls memory and thinking.
In Parkinson’s Disease, brain cells that make a chemical called dopamine start to die. Dopamine helps to control movement, so without it, the body struggles to move smoothly. Clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein, known as Lewy bodies, also build up in these affected neurons, making things worse.
That is the main reason, Alzheimer’s mostly affects memory and thinking, while Parkinson’s mainly affects movement.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that damages the nerve cells, especially in the areas that control memory, thinking, and language. This condition usually occurs slowly and gets worse over time. It is most common in people who are older than 60.
This disease has usually three stages:
- Mild stage: It is the first stage, you may notice small memory slips, trouble finding the right words, and feel difficulty in planning or organizing tasks.
- Moderate stage: You see more confusion, mood or personality changes,
- unable to recognize family and friends, and problems with everyday activities.
- Severe stage: This is the final stage where you are unable to speak clearly, major movement difficulties, and need full-time care.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia
Dementia is a general term that is used for serious memory and thinking problems. But, Alzheimer’s is one of the specific diseases and it is the main cause of dementia.
Alzheimer’s does not only affect the person who has it. Families and caregivers often deal with daily stress and emotional challenges as they provide support.
What is Parkinson’s Disease ?
Many people think Parkinson’s is only about shaky hands. But in reality, it is the most complex condition that affects both movement and other parts of life. This condition also starts slowly and shows very subtle signs that people often mistake it for aging.
Following the symptoms of this disease:
- You may see a tremor that often starts in one hand while at rest
- Your muscles are stiff or rigid muscles
- Slower movements, making everyday tasks take longer
- You may have a impaired balance and coordination
Parkinson’s controls more than just movement. Its non-motor symptoms can include depression or anxiety, sleep disturbances including REM sleep disorder, a loss of sense of smell, and even changes in memory or thinking.
Alzheimer’s vs. Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are both considered as progressive illnesses with no current cure. They both affect the people in different ways. Alzheimer’s usually starts by disrupting your memory and thinking, while Parkinson’s is more likely to cause changes in your daily movement like tremors or muscle stiffness.
The changes that happen in the brain are also different. Alzheimer’s is mostly linked to a buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in your brain cells, while Parkinson’s builds up clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein, or Lewy bodies. Alzheimer’s mostly causes dementia but in Parkinson’s it may develop later in the illness, known as Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Causes & Risk Factors
Following are the main causes behind these conditions:
Age
The single biggest risk factor for both conditions is getting older. As we age, nerve cells become sensitive to damage, and the brain is unable to repair itself. Most cases occur after the age of 60.
Head Injuries
Past or any recent head injuries can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. If you have concussions in sports or any accidents can leave lasting effects years later.
Heart & Metabolic Health
At Kairos, we always say what is good for your heart is good for your brain. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity in mid-life, you have a maximum chance of getting these diseases. Heart & metabolic issues can reduce blood flow to the brain, affecting your memory and motor function over time.
Genetic factors
Your genes can also be the reason for these diseases. APOE-e4 gene increases the Alzheimer’s risk and LRRK2 and PARK7 genes are connected to Parkinson’s. But these genes do not always guarantee that you will have these diseases in future but it make you more vulnerable.
How are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diagnosed?
There is no single test to determine either Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. But at Kairos, we thoroughly look at your symptoms, medical history, and test results to diagnose it fully.
Alzheimer’s is mostly diagnosed by asking questions about your memory or daily challenges. It can also include some cognitive tests like the MMSE or MoCA, fluid tests, brain scans like MRI or CT.
For Parkinson’s, we start with a detailed neurological exam and movement assessment. Sometimes, specialized imaging like a DaTscan is used to check dopamine levels in the brain.
Can You Prevent Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent these diseases, but research shows that lifestyle choices can protect your brain health and lower the risk. You should:
- Stay physically active: Regular exercise boosts blood flow, supports your brain function, and may slow down the changes linked to these conditions.
- Eat a brain-healthy diet: You should eat diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and olive oil like the Mediterranean or MIND diet to support your mind and body.
- Keep your mind engaged: Reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or social activities can all help in strengthening brain connections.
- Protect your heart health: You should manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, since heart and brain health are closely linked.
- Sleep well: Deep sleep is when the brain clears out toxins, including amyloid plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s.
Treatment & Support at Kairos
The diagnosis of these diseases can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. At Kairos, we guide you with practical steps and strategies that help you live with it.
- We may recommend medications for Alzheimer’s. This may include donepezil, rivastigmine, or memantine, along with balanced routines and engaging brain activities.
- We will also guide you in creating a safe, comfortable environment.
- You have to follow some strategies for improving your sleep, nutrition, and we will make sure caregivers have the right support.
- For Parkinson’s, we may use medications such as levodopa/carbidopa or dopamine agonists with physical and speech therapy.
- For advanced cases, we may guide you through options like deep brain stimulation for better symptom control.
Living Well After Diagnosis
If you or a loved one already has Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, here are some things that can truly help:
- You should start treatment early, because medicines work best when they are introduced sooner rather than later.
- Following a regular routine helps reduce stress. You should add simple habits like consistent meal times can help a lot.
- Go for supportive therapies such as speech and physical therapy. This can improve your independence and strengthen your everyday abilities
- Moving your body regularly such as walking, stretching, or yoga can boost your overall mood.
- Take care of mental health, since anxiety and depression are very common in these diseases. You should talk to a counselor or join a support group.
- If you’re caring for someone, remember you need rest too. Seek out respite care or caregiver groups so you don’t burn out.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are two of the biggest challenges in brain health today. It is best to understand their signs and risks. This early understanding can help you and your family to take action early.
At Kairos Integrative Care, Lola, one of our board-certified practitioners, is here to guide you with personalized care using both medical and holistic approaches. We welcome patients in Houston, Sugar Land, Richmond, and nearby areas (77046 & 77478). We accept most major insurance plans like Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
We’re accepting new patients now. If you can’t come in person, we also offer telemedicine visits to patients across the entire state of Texas.
Book your appointment today!
