Non motor symptoms are very well recognised in Parkinsons and the non-motor symptom tool developed by the Kings College team lead by Prof Ray Chaudhuri is used all over the world and is now available in many languages. The tool assesses 30 non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons vary from the diagnostic stages throughout the pathway to the more advanced end stages of the condition. The symptoms also vary as per person living with Parkinsons. At diagnosis these symptoms can clarify what type of Parkinsons the PWP is living with and can guide the clinicians on how to treat the individuals Parkinsons. For instance a person with a day time sleepy dominant Parkinsons Parkinsons may not do well on agonists treatments as these may worsen the symptoms and others presenting with hallucinations and possible memory issues could experience the same issues.
Here we are talking about Parkinsons and sleep problems experienced at some point by most people diagnosed with Parkinsons. These symptoms can often be traced back to 5-15 years prior to diagnosis of Parkinsons . Young people often arrive in clinics with many years of having slept badly. either being able to go asleep but wake up within a few hours unable to go back to sleep or sleep for just 5 hours a night and then finding them selves sleeping at work or even driving sleepy. Excessive day time sleepiness can develop as a consequence of sleeping badly at night or through dehydration from poor fluid intake or side effects from Parkinsons medications. Sleep status can be assessed using the Parkinsons sleep scale. To understand that sleep issues can be a part of the Parkinsons it is essential to understand the nms_questionnaire . Professionals and People living with Parkinsons would benefit from using this tool prior to attending their clinic review or when holding clinics.
Sleep issues are treatable sometimes by changing the way the PWP lives. Reviewing their alcohol intake, their fluid intake generally (which is usually poor) when they take their medications for example taking L-dopa such as sinemet and madopar with fluids before meals, avoiding stimulants prior to bed time including use of phones television and computers. Ensuring the bedroom is uncluttered and restful, not too hot or cold, and avoiding large meals before going to bed. Some hospitals run sleep assessment clinics which a PWP can be referred to for a full sleep assessment /