Parkinson’s Vs. Multiple Sclerosis: How Are These Conditions Different?

Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis are two medical conditions that are frequently confused with each other since they are both progressive and have similar symptoms, but there are some significant differences between the two.

Here we will discuss the difference and similarities between the two.

Understanding Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological illness that impairs mobility. Symptoms appear gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in only one hand. It is one of the world’s most common nervous system disorders, which predominantly affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic condition that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves in the eyes. MS occurs when your immune system attacks the myelin, a fatty substance that wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them. Your nerves are injured if you don’t have this outer shell and scar tissue might occur. Because of the injury, your brain is unable to convey impulses across your body appropriately. Your nerves will also not work well and it will impair the way you move and feel.

Parkinson’s Disease Vs. Multiple Sclerosis: Differences

Some of the differences between Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis include:

• Parkinson’s symptoms usually appear at the age of 60 and beyond, whereas multiple sclerosis commonly affects individuals between the age group of 20 and 50.
• According to several research, having multiple sclerosis may increase your chance of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. This is due to inflammation caused by multiple sclerosis, which can cause lesions in the brain, affecting how dopamine is produced. However, the reverse has yet to be confirmed.
• Parkinson’s disease develops when the brain generates tiny levels of dopamine, a hormone that regulates movement, whereas multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune illness in which the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheath around nerve axons.
• Parkinson’s disease involves a few unique symptoms, such as foot-dragging, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), poor posture, lack of control over motions such as blinking or smiling, and others. Dizziness, double vision, tingling feelings throughout the body, hearing loss, and seizures.

Parkinson’s Disease Vs. Multiple Sclerosis: Similarities

Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis impact the brain and central nervous system, causing changes in how you move, communicate, and connect with the environment. The two illnesses share several symptoms, which include:

• Poor balance and coordination
• Slurred speech that others find difficult to understand
• Loss of muscle control in one side of the body first and then the other
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Poor balance
• Convulsive limb movements
• Anxiety and depression

Home Care for Better Living for a Person Living with Parkinson’s and MS

Parkinson’s and MS are conditions that can severely affect a patient’s life. But having in-home care can improve their condition.

Here are some of the services we provide for a patient suffering from Parkinson’s or MS:

Personal Care

This is one of the most common types of in-home care available for your loved one. Our caregiver will aid the elderly at home and assist them with various daily activities like feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, exercise, toileting, cleaning, meal preparation, etc.

Companionship

Our caregivers provide emotional support and socialization for your loved one who may feel isolated due to their illness. They will aid with duties such as light cleaning, errands, and speaking and connecting with them. It makes the individual getting care feel less lonely and increases their quality of life.

Learn more about the reasons to keep your seniors active and social while ensuring their essentials are met.

Respite for Primary Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s or MS can be challenging but getting assistance and protecting your own health is also critical. Your care recipient will get dependable care from our caregivers while you or the primary caregiver can take a much-needed break.

Transportation

Your loved ones may not have the ability to leave the house and go shopping or run errands due to their condition. In this case, our caregivers can assist them by providing transportation and helping them carry out various outdoor activities.

Supervision and Home Safety

Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis can at times make your loved ones more vulnerable to falls or trips. Our caregivers will be available to prevent their falls, and they will also make sure that your house is secure.

At Home Care Partner, our goal is to help live independently from the comfort of your own home. We hire high-quality caregivers who will take care of your loved ones suffering from Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Give us a call if you are looking for in-home care services!