What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? The early signs of Jeremy Paxman’s illness explained
Jeremy Paxman is stepping down as the host of University Challenge tonight after 29 years at the helm.
The combative ex-Newsnight broadcaster has overseen every series since the much-loved show was resurrected by the BBC in 1994, and will be replaced by the former BBC Media Editor Amol Rajan in autumn.
Paxman, 73, announced his retirement in August last year, after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in May 2021.
He said he was being treated for the illness after he collapsed while walking his dog, but said at the time that his symptoms were “currently mild”.
Paxman subsequently revealed that a doctor had noticed signs of the condition when he appeared on TV: “I’d gone straight down on my hooter, which, as you can see, is not small.
“Cuts all over the place. I was a real mess. And when I was in A&E, a doctor walked in and said ‘I think you’ve got Parkinson’s’.
“And it turned out that he had been watching University Challenge and had noticed that my face had acquired what’s known as the Parkinson Mask. I wasn’t as effusive and exuberant as normal. I had no idea.”
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.
According to the NHS website, there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.
Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.
In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk. Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.
Most people’s life expectancy will not change a great deal as a result of Parkinson’s, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health. It can also cause cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.
No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.
A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition, and may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.
What are the causes of Parkinson’s?
Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease, which occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.
However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place – research is ongoing to identify potential causes.
Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.
Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.
Is there treatment for Parkinson’s?
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.
Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptom, including medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.
Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as shaking and movement problems.
There are three main types which are commonly used – levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor – each of which can affect people in different ways.
The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.
There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson’s through the NHS.
Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.
Those with Parkinson’s are also encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.
Additional reporting from Press Association
