Parkinson's disease
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson disease is a brain disorder in which there is a lack of dopamine.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates motor neurons, those nerve cells that control the muscles. In this disease, for some unknown reasons the nerve cells in the part of the brain that produces dopamine, begin to decrease in number. Also, the chemical in the synapse that breaks down the dopamine continues to diminish what little dopamine is left. The overall effect is a large loss of dopamine in the brain which results in a lack of coordination of your movement.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may appear at any age, but the average age of beginning is 60. It is uncommon in people younger than 30 and risk increases with age. Tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance, muffled speech, small cramped handwriting, stiff facial expression and difficulty walking are some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
At present, there is no way to stop the loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine or to re-establish those that have already been lost. However, there are a number of useful medicines that help to ease the symptoms of Parkinson disease.
Parkinson's disease patients have lost 80% or more of their dopamine-producing cells by the time symptoms appear so medicines used, attempt to either restore or imitate dopamine, which improves the tremor, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson disease.
Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vary from person to person. Early signs may be subtle and can go unnoticed. Symptoms typically begin on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side even after symptoms begin to affect both sides. Parkinson's signs and symptoms may include:- Tremor. The characteristic shaking associated with Parkinson's disease often begins in a hand. A back-and-forth rubbing of your thumb and forefinger, known as pill-rolling, is common, and may occur when your hand is at rest. However, not everyone experiences tremors.
- Slowed motion (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson's disease may reduce your ability to initiate voluntary movement. This may make even the simplest tasks difficult and time-consuming. When you walk, your steps may become short and shuffling. Or your feet may freeze to the floor, making it hard to take the first step.
- Rigid muscles. Muscle stiffness can occur in any part of your body. Sometimes the stiffness can be so severe that it limits the range of your movements and causes pain. People may first notice this sign when you no longer swing your arms when you're walking.
- Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped as a result of Parkinson's disease. Balance problems also may occur, although this is usually in the later stages of the disease.
- Loss of automatic movements. Blinking, smiling and swinging your arms when you walk are all unconscious acts that are a normal part of being human. In Parkinson's disease, these acts tend to be diminished and even lost. Some people may develop a fixed staring expression and unblinking eyes. Others may no longer gesture or seem animated when they speak.
- Speech changes. Many people with Parkinson's disease have problems with speech. You may speak more softly, rapidly or in a monotone, sometimes slurring or repeating words, or hesitating before speaking.
- Dementia. In the later stages of Parkinson's disease, some people develop problems with memory and mental clarity. Alzheimer's drugs appear to alleviate some of these symptoms to a mild degree.
