Although stages may overlap and symptoms are not always the same for many patients, there are four main stages of PSP.
Stage :1
May include loss of balance and falling or stumbling, difficulty writing, decreased modesty such as playing with one's private parts, vision problems such as blurred vision or the loss of ability to look downward/upward, and speech problems.
Stage :2
Includes progressive vision problems such as opening or closing eyes, problem swallowing foods causing choking and coughing, inability to hold urine or bowels, lack of concentration, problems sitting and standing, and stage 1 symptoms worsening. It is a good idea that the patient have a care giver at this point.
Stage: 3
Patients may display obsessive-compulsive behavior such as repeating numbers over and over, constant smoothing out of hands on imaginary wrinkles and finger rolling, patients may not be able to listen to the radio or watch television as sounds, movement and color may make them nervous. Symptoms from previous stages are worsened and at this point patients may not be able to do anything for themselves as their hands/legs do not function properly. Even though a patient may not speak much and wear a mask-like expression they are still happy to see family members and friends.
Stage :4
Patient is totally dependent on their care giver. They may have to insert a feeding tube as eating becomes almost impossible because of problems opening the mouth and swallowing. They will not be able to walk on their own and would most likely be confined to bed. Hallucinations and delusions may also be experienced. Patients will be very disoriented, not aware of days or time and will sleep through most days and nights. Patients will experience pain but will not be able to pinpoint where it is coming from and they may go days and weeks without speaking although they may mutter unintelligibly.
A patient does not die from PSP itself but from complications caused by the disease such as respiratory problems, pneumonia or other infections caused by constant immobility. For the rest of their life, a PSP patient would need to have care 24/7 as they will never be able to take care of themselves again. There are medications that can help with depression and dementia but medication does not slow down the progression of the disease. The main reason for treatment is simply to improve the patient's quality of life.
All in all, PSP is a very tough disease on both the patient and their family. It is difficult to see a loved one suffer in silence and not be able to help them. The best way is to improve the quality of life of the Patient and shower lots of love
Stage :1
May include loss of balance and falling or stumbling, difficulty writing, decreased modesty such as playing with one's private parts, vision problems such as blurred vision or the loss of ability to look downward/upward, and speech problems.
Stage :2
Includes progressive vision problems such as opening or closing eyes, problem swallowing foods causing choking and coughing, inability to hold urine or bowels, lack of concentration, problems sitting and standing, and stage 1 symptoms worsening. It is a good idea that the patient have a care giver at this point.
Stage: 3
Patients may display obsessive-compulsive behavior such as repeating numbers over and over, constant smoothing out of hands on imaginary wrinkles and finger rolling, patients may not be able to listen to the radio or watch television as sounds, movement and color may make them nervous. Symptoms from previous stages are worsened and at this point patients may not be able to do anything for themselves as their hands/legs do not function properly. Even though a patient may not speak much and wear a mask-like expression they are still happy to see family members and friends.
Stage :4
Patient is totally dependent on their care giver. They may have to insert a feeding tube as eating becomes almost impossible because of problems opening the mouth and swallowing. They will not be able to walk on their own and would most likely be confined to bed. Hallucinations and delusions may also be experienced. Patients will be very disoriented, not aware of days or time and will sleep through most days and nights. Patients will experience pain but will not be able to pinpoint where it is coming from and they may go days and weeks without speaking although they may mutter unintelligibly.
A patient does not die from PSP itself but from complications caused by the disease such as respiratory problems, pneumonia or other infections caused by constant immobility. For the rest of their life, a PSP patient would need to have care 24/7 as they will never be able to take care of themselves again. There are medications that can help with depression and dementia but medication does not slow down the progression of the disease. The main reason for treatment is simply to improve the patient's quality of life.
All in all, PSP is a very tough disease on both the patient and their family. It is difficult to see a loved one suffer in silence and not be able to help them. The best way is to improve the quality of life of the Patient and shower lots of love
