According to a story from Business Wire, a recent survey has revealed new findings about the frequency of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) among Parkinson’s disease patients. Around one in five patients appear to display symptoms of the condition, which can have major impacts of quality of life and contribute to the debilitating impacts of Parkinson’s.
About Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension
Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension is a medical condition which is characterized by an abrupt drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. It is linked to delay in the constriction of blood vessels in the lower body, which normally occurs when changing position. Mild symptoms may occasionally be experienced by anyone, but it can become a serious problem for older people or for those with low blood pressure in general. To learn more about neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, click here.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a type of long term, progressive, degenerative illness that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms tend to develop over a period of years and primarily affect the movement ability and mental state of the patient. Symptoms include slowed movements, poor coordination, trouble walking, shaking, stiffness, abnormal posture, depression, anxiety, inhibited thinking, hallucinations, and dementia. Treatment may involve a number of medications, rehabilitation, and surgical operations. Survival rate varies, but most patients survive around a decade after getting diagnosed. To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, click here.
Survey Data
In the survey, many of the patients that reported symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension also reported that they often felt forced to cease certain physical activities because of the condition, such as physical exercise, hobbies, and activities around the house. These reports are a clear indication of serious quality of life impacts. The survey also revealed that symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension are often left unaddressed during visits with physicians.
This highlights an overall lack of awareness about the condition as these symptoms can definitely be managed and reduced. Discussing the symptoms with a doctor is recommended. Half of patients admitted that the symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension made them feel more anxious about their overall health. 60 percent also said that they attempted to minimize the severity of their symptoms or conceal them from others.
These results suggest uncertainty and fear among Parkinson’s patients with how to deal with this complication of their disease. Caregivers should inform their patients about the possibility of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension appearing as part of their disease and that these symptoms should be discussed openly.