Gardeners' World presenter Arit Anderson has opened up about a health issue that can be connected to Parkinson's disease. The garden designer said she was left heartbroken 10 years ago when her sister Julie, 71, received a diagnosis of the progressive neurodegenerative brain condition that destroys dopamine-producing neurons.
Understanding Parkinson's Symptoms
The NHS states that Parkinson's disease primarily causes involuntary shaking of body parts (tremor), slow movement, and rigid, inflexible muscles. Yet Arit stresses in a new interview that numerous other symptoms can signal the 'little understood condition'.
For her sister, she explained Julie suddenly started suffering from anxiety. Speaking to Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball on their Dig It podcast, live from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, she said: 'Anxiety is a symptom of Parkinson's. You and I will get stressed and worried if we've got to go out on the tele and things and we're running a bit late or whatever.'
'To have it as a symptom, my sister, Julie, was never stressed. That woman could sleep on a washing line right, so for her now [to be like], "Oh, Arit, I can't X or Y", that's the Parkinson's, that's not my sister.'
The Neurological Basis
In response, Jo said her father also suffers from Parkinson's and that his anxiety had increased over time. Arit, who has designed an uplifting garden at the Chelsea Flower Show for those living with the condition, continued: 'I think a lot of people think Parkinson's is just a tremor but the thing to understand about the condition is that it's neurological. It's the brain cells in our brains that produce dopamine, they die.'
'Dopamine is not just about the happy hormone, it's important about our mood but it also controls a lot of our motor skills and how we move and everything.'
Supported by research published on Parkinsons.org.uk, there are believed to be around 40 symptoms of Parkinson's ranging from tremors or stiffness to sleep disturbances and mental health issues, though each person's experience differs.
'The 40 symptoms can come in such an array and can be really subtle for some people and really sort of more extrapolated in others,' Arit added.
Official Guidance
The NHS confirms that individuals with Parkinson's disease may face numerous physical and psychological symptoms, including depression and anxiety, balance issues (potentially raising the risk of falls), loss of smell (anosmia), sleep disturbances (insomnia), and memory problems.
It states: 'Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in a chemical called dopamine in the brain.'
'Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body. A reduction in dopamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.'
Exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells is unclear. Most experts think that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is responsible.
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's, though treatments including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medication and, in certain cases, brain surgery can help control symptoms.
Experiencing anxiety doesn't automatically indicate someone has Parkinson's, as it may be associated with numerous other conditions and lifestyle circumstances. Anyone worried about symptoms should consult their GP.
Dig It with Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley is a Persephonica production and is available wherever you get your podcasts.
