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Neurology

Parkinson

Parkinson's disease attacks the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. We can help you. Schedule Your Appointment Today.

We've all heard of Parkinson's disease for different reasons, but do we really know what this disease entails? This condition begins with slight twitching of the arms and legs that the patient cannot control.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive nervous system disorder that affects the movement of your body. Parkinson's disease affects the tissue cells in the brain (neurons), causing them to stop producing dopamine, a chemical our bodies need to make normal movements.

Currently, Parkinson’s is the second most prevalent disease after Alzheimer’s.

This Neurodegenerative disease affects:

Half a million people a year
40% of patients are under 60 years of age
10% of patients are under 40 years of age
30% of the population is estimated to be undiagnosed

Causes

In this disease, some neurons gradually break or die. Many of the symptoms result from the loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels drop, brain activity is affected, causing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The causes of the disease are uncertain, but several factors can influence its development, such as those mentioned below:

Genetic variations
Exposure to toxins
Environmental factors
Lewy bodies presence, which contains a protein called alpha-synuclein. Researchers are studying this protein as a possible cause of the alterations in neurons

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Symptoms generally happen slowly over the years.

Initial stages of Parkinson's disease:

Your face may not show any expression or only a few
Your arms may not usually swing when you walk
Your speech may sound slurred

The progress of the symptoms can be different for everyone:

Tremor
Slowed movement
Rigid muscles
Impaired posture and balance
Loss of automatic movements
Speech changes
Writing changes
Head shaking
Memory problems
Confusion
Dementia
Loss of smell

Having some of these symptoms doesn't mean you have Parkinson's. Consult your Neurologist if you identify variations in yourself.

Parkinson's disease stages

Motor Symptoms

Mild stage

Your arms don't usually swing when you walk
You can't make some facial expressions
Your legs seem heavy
Handwriting change
Your extremities get numb
You only have symptoms on one side of your body

Moderate stage

Changes in your speak
Stopping when you first start to walk
Difficulty swallowing
Falls
Balance and coordination troubles

Advanced stage

You need assistance every day

Non-Motor Symptoms

Mild stage

Constipation
Depression
Loss of smell
Low blood pressure
Pain
Sleep problems

Risk factors

Age: People commonly develop the disease around age 60 or older
Heredity
Gender: Parkinson is more common in Men than Women
Exposure to toxins: Such as herbicides and pesticides

Diagnosis

The Neurologist will review medical history.
Review of signs and symptoms.
Physical and neurological examination

In some cases, the Neurologist may request a CT Scan called a dopamine transporter scan, which can help confirm the presence of Parkinson's disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications can help control symptoms significantly. When the condition is at an advanced stage, the Neurologist may suggest surgical intervention.

Regular aerobic exercise can be helpful, as well as physical therapy. To treat speech problems, therapy with a pathologist can be beneficial.

Prescribed medications focus on regularizing dopamine levels in the brain. You cannot administer dopamine directly, but you can do chemicals that naturally convert to dopamine, such as levodopa.

Other medications, such as inhibitors, help prevent dopamine dissolution and other substances that help control symptoms such as tremors associated with the disease.

The Neurologist will take into account the disease's progression and the clinical history of each patient to determine the best treatment.

Living with Parkinson disease

Medicines prescribed by the Neurologist in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, including physical exercise, will make a difference in controlling symptoms and having a better quality of life.

Exercise will help increase muscle strength, flexibility, and reestablish balance, which is affected as the disease progresses. Receiving supportive therapy can help alleviate symptoms and complications resulting from the disease, such as pain, physical exhaustion, and depression, and frustration.

A combination of medications and alternative therapies and receiving support from family, friends, and a mental health professional, will make the difference to achieve a healthy life as possible.

When should I visit the Doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, see your Neurologist. He will be responsible for reviewing your medical history and symptoms to determine a proper diagnosis.

When visiting the Neurologist, it is recommended to have precise control and description of the symptoms. It is also important to mention if you are taking any medication. Learning more about Parkinson's disease and its symptoms is the first step in treating and controlling it.

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Parkinson

Parkinson's disease attacks the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. We can help you. Schedule Your Appointment Today.

Causes