Parkinson’s life expectancy: Stages and treatment options

Parkinsons disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. It affects a persons movement and mental ability, with the symptoms getting worse over time.

Today, most people with Parkinsons disease will live as long, or almost as long, as those without the disease. Medications and other treatments can help make the symptoms manageable and improve a persons quality of life.

In this article, we discuss the life expectancy of someone with Parkinsons, as well as the stages of the disease and the potential complications.

Most people with Parkinsons disease have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.

Modern medications and treatments mean that people can manage their symptoms and reduce the occurrence or severity of complications, which might otherwise be fatal.

Several factors can influence an individuals life expectancy, including the type of Parkinsons disease, the age of onset, and a persons access to healthcare.

A 2018 study in the journal Neurology indicates that survival among those with Parkinsons disease is highly dependent on the type and characteristics of the disorder.

The researchers report that those with Parkinsons disease and normal cognitive function appear to have a largely normal life expectancy.

Research involving more than 12,000 people indicates that Parkinsons can reduce life expectancy if a person receives a diagnosis before the age of 70 years.

A 2015 study with 206 participants found that ethnicity was an important factor, with nonwhite people including Black and Asian people having an increased risk of earlier death.

In their paper, the authors suggest that this finding reflects sociocultural and economic differences, which may prevent some people from accessing specialized medical care.

Parkinsons disease itself is not fatal. However, although people do not die from Parkinsons disease, they may die from complications of the condition.

The disease can put the body under stress, which makes people more likely to develop serious, life threatening infections.

For example, research into the deaths of 219 people with idiopathic Parkinsons disease reported that 45% of these individuals appeared to have died from pneumonia. Idiopathic means that the disease did not have a clear or known cause.

The American Parkinson Disease Association also cite falls as a common cause of death. Those with Parkinsons are more likely than others to fall and injure themselves. Serious falls and complications arising from surgery to treat the injuries can both be fatal.

There are five stages of Parkinsons disease:

During this stage, the symptoms are mild and unlikely to affect day-to-day functioning or life expectancy. The early signs of the disease may include tremors or shakes and changes in posture, gait, and facial expressions.

Learn more about the early signs of Parkinsons disease.

Stage 2 symptoms are moderate and become more noticeable than those in stage 1. They may begin to affect daily life and tasks but are unlikely to affect life expectancy. Symptoms in this stage include:

Progression to this stage may take months or years.

At this stage, people experience greater difficulty with balance and movement. They are still independent, but daily tasks can be challenging. Falls are more common once people reach stage 3.

While the symptoms in stage 3 are still unlikely to affect life expectancy, a serious fall may cause injuries and other complications.

Stage 4 symptoms are severe and limiting, and people in this stage are unable to live alone due to safety concerns. While they may be able to stand without assistance, they will require help to move and perform other tasks.

Complications arising in stage 4, particularly those resulting from the increased risk of falling, may affect a persons quality of life.

The symptoms at this advanced stage are debilitating. A person may be unable to stand or walk, and they may require a wheelchair. Those in stage 5 require assistance at all times and for all activities.

Hallucinations and delusions are common and affect 2040% of people with the condition. This number increases with disease progression.

In stage 5, people may be more prone to injuries and infections, which could cause complications or be fatal. However, most people will still have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.

There is no cure for Parkinsons disease, but medications can help manage the symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Lifestyle changes can also help, especially in the earlier stages.

Treatments in stage 1 may include physical therapy to improve balance and address muscle stiffness. Regular exercise can also be important to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.

Eating a balanced diet may reduce some of the Parkinsons symptoms that can present in stage 1 or in the later stages. For example, drinking plenty of water and eating enough fiber can reduce constipation.

Other nutrients that a balanced diet includes, such as omega-3 fats and magnesium, may boost cognition, help with anxiety, and more.

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications, but only if the benefits at this stage outweigh the potential side effects. One example is amantadine (Gocovri), which provides short-term relief of mild, early stage Parkinsons symptoms.

Exercise and physical therapy may still be beneficial at this stage. It may also be helpful for a person to work with a speech-language pathologist to address speech problems.

Those who are having difficulty performing everyday tasks may benefit from working with an occupational therapist. This type of therapy helps people learn new ways of performing tasks such as eating, dressing, and moving.

Certain medications may help minimize issues with movement and tremors. Options include:

Some people with Parkinsons may wish to use alternative therapies to manage stress and anxiety and improve overall well-being. These may include:

Treatments and remedies from earlier stages may still be beneficial for those in stage 3. These include:

As the disease progresses, the benefits of some medications, such as carbidopa-levodopa, may lessen.

In the advanced stages of Parkinsons, some treatments may become less effective. However, if they provide even small benefits, it may be worth continuing them.

In some cases, doctors may change the delivery of some medications. For example, those with more advanced Parkinsons may receive an infusion of carbidopa-levodopa rather than an oral dose. The continual infusion keeps the blood levels of the drugs constant.

In these stages, people may undergo surgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS involves implanting electrodes into the brain to emit electrical pulses that help reduce symptoms.

Parkinsons disease is not fatal, as the condition itself does not cause death.

However, some complications that arise from Parkinsons, including infections and falls, can be fatal.

Treatments and lifestyle changes can help people manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of complications.

It is worth remembering that due to modern treatments and healthcare services, most people living with Parkinsons disease now live as long, or almost as long, as those without this condition.

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Parkinson's life expectancy: Stages and treatment options