Loneliness makes you sick, but does it also cause Parkinson's?

2023-10-30 08:41:00, Shëndeti CNA

Loneliness increases the risk of heart attack, cerebral hemorrhage or dementia. Loneliness may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a new British study.

Man is a social being, he needs human connection. Loneliness is not only a problem in old age, when contact with family decreases, a partner dies or when a person is no longer so mobile. From a psychological point of view, someone is lonely when they feel loneliness as painful or feel isolated despite social contacts and do not feel part of anywhere.

The elderly are not the only ones who are lonely

Not only the elderly, but also young people or 30-year-olds can feel lonely, for example after the failure of a relationship with a partner or if they feel socially isolated. Loneliness is also felt by people in their late 50s, for example when children leave home and a state of emptiness is created.

Of course it's good to be alone sometimes. And even when you're not alone, you can feel lonely. Loneliness in this sense is more of a feeling, which is difficult to measure. On the other hand, social interaction can be measured.

Loneliness makes you sick

Loneliness becomes a problem when it becomes chronic and brings with it the lack of social contacts. Because loneliness negatively affects the human psyche and physical health. Lack of social connections for a long time meanwhile is categorized as dangerous as alcohol consumption, nicotine, malnutrition or constant lack of movement.

Since historical development, people have always tried to live in community. Together we can better overcome dangers and ensure survival. When we humans depend only on ourselves, it puts our body on alert, and it overproduces the stress hormone, cortisol.

Lonely people release more stress hormones

According to calculations, lonely people show a high level of cortisol which in the long run leads to increased blood pressure and high sugar values. The immune system weakens, the body cannot fight inflammations in the body well and this in turn favors cardiovascular disease. Chronic loneliness therefore significantly increases the risk of heart attack, cerebral hemorrhage, cancer or dementia. According to a British study, loneliness can also increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.

The Loneliness and Parkinson's Study

Loneliness itself does not cause Parkinson's, the cause of this neurodegenerative disease is not very clear. Parkinson's typically begins with muscle freezing, slowness of movement, and uncontrolled tremors. But according to a long-term study published in October in the medical journal JAMA Neurology, the risk of developing Parkinson's is 37% higher in lonely people. Even when factors such as genetic predisposition or other illnesses were taken out of the calculations, lonely people showed a 25% higher risk of Parkinson's disease, the study said. For this study, scientists used data from 491,603 people from the UK Biobank database.

Loneliness as an early symptom of Parkinson's

Nina Browner, professor of neurology and head of the Department of Limited Movements at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, says the study cannot definitively prove that loneliness causes Parkinson's. The study is only exploratory and a starting point for other studies.

But one thing is clear, that loneliness in addition to depressions, neurosis of fear or fatigue is an early non-motor symptom for Parkinson's disease - All these signs can crystallize at an early stage of the disease and can manifest several years before the diagnosis of Parkinson's, researchers believe.

Ideas against loneliness

When people are lonely, maybe phone or video calls can bridge the distance and create a sense of togetherness. But nothing replaces personal contact. Loneliness is not something you choose. But whoever feels lonely should become active and seek contact with others. A new hobby or participation in a choir helps against loneliness. A dog changes lives and brings contact with other dog owners. Doing volunteer work can create a sense of worth.

All ideas are good, but for many the path out of loneliness is often difficult. Speak straight to strangers? Attending courses? To volunteer? For some it is easier. Friends, relatives, neighbors can help in the first steps out of loneliness. If insecurity or low self-confidence is hidden behind loneliness, talking to a psychotherapist can help. In the end, you have to overcome loneliness as a protective measure for the body. It will be a grateful day!/ DW