In a result that is expected to greatly help in understanding one of the chronic diseases that are still untreated, a recent study found that recurrent nightmares may be one of the first signs of Parkinson's disease.

The study - reported by Deutsche Welle - found that older people who had frequent nightmares were twice as likely to have this disease.

"Although it may really be beneficial to diagnose Parkinson's disease early, there are quite a few risk indicators, many of which require very expensive clinical testing," said study lead author Abideme Otaiko.

Bad dreams

The neurologist from the University of Birmingham added, "Determining the importance of disturbing dreams and nightmares may indicate that individuals who experience changes in their dreams in old age - without any apparent reason - should seek medical advice," according to the New York Post website. New York Post).

The Science Alert website indicated that the results of the study depended on following the health of about 3,818 elderly men with typical brain functions for 12 years, adding that most of the diagnoses were made during the first five years of the study.

The same study showed that older people can be screened for Parkinson's disease by asking questions about the content of their dreams, and added that early interventions can be used to help stop the possible emergence of physical symptoms such as tremor, according to the Science Alert website.

Parkinson's disease diagnosis

However, diagnosing Parkinson's disease early is currently difficult, as health experts are working to find an effective way to do so.

Science Alert reports that when people discover they have Parkinson's disease, they have lost between 60% and 80% of the cells that release dopamine in part of the brain stem.

And the New York Post website quoted Dr. Catherine Fletcher, "We know that many people with Parkinson's disease have trouble sleeping at night."

"This new study provides further evidence that changes in sleep may be an early sign of Parkinson's disease, in which case bad dreams are linked to an increased risk of developing the disease."

"The more we learn about the early signs of the condition and how the brain can change, the closer the research is to better treatments and treatments," Dr. Fletcher concluded.

Parkinson's symptoms

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement and is currently incurable.

Symptoms begin gradually - and sometimes - with a barely noticeable tremor in one hand.

The disorder may also cause stiffness or slowed movement, according to the Mayo Clinic.

As for the symptoms of this chronic disease, they are multiple, according to the Mayo Clinic website, and include the following:

  • shiver

  • slow motion

  • muscle stiffness

  • automatic motion loss

  • changes in speech

  • changes in writing (difficulty writing)

Shaking hands at a rate of 4 to 6 movements per second is an indication of Parkinson's disease (German)