What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
It is a nervous system disorder wherein movement is progressively affected. Parkinson’s disease develops slowly, at times, beginning with a slight tremor in a hand. Despite, tremor being the most common and obvious symptoms of the disorder, one with Parkinson’s disease can also experience slowed movement or bodily stiffness.
In the initial stages, the arms may stop swinging while walking or the face can show no or slight expressions. The speech can turn slurred or soft. As the disorder tend to progresses gradually, the symptoms can become worse.
Even though, Parkinson’s disease is incurable, yet there are medications that can greatly improve its symptoms. At times, surgery is recommended to regulate specific sections of the brain and improve the signs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease?
Its symptoms can vary from patient to patient. Initial signs of Parkinson’s disease are mild, thus can go unnoticed. Usually, symptoms start on a particular body side, and tend to remain worse even after both the sides of the body are affected. Few common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:
- Writing changes.
- Speech changes.
- Impaired balance and posture.
- Rigid muscles.
- Slowed movement.
- Tremor.
- Loss of automatic movements.
Medications can greatly ease the severity of symptoms. They substitute or boost dopamine. Dopamine is a particular signaling chemical present in our brain, a neurotransmitter. Individuals with the disorder tend to have less dopamine concentrations in their brain.
Related: Tremor Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
In the disorder, some neurons (nerve cells) present in our brain slowly stops functioning or die. Majority of the signs arises because the brain lacks neurons responsible for making a chemical messenger- dopamine. When the levels of dopamine reduce, it results in abnormal activity of the brain, instigating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Even though, the cause of the disorder is unknown, however some factors are identified in contributing, these are:
- Genes: according to studies, some genetic mutations are identified for sourcing Parkinson’s disease; however they are uncommon apart from some instances with many members of the family affected by the disorder.
- Environmental triggers: environmental factors or exposure to some toxins can also raise the chances of developing Parkinson’s disease.
What Are The Complications Of Parkinson’s Disease?
Usually, the disorder is accompanied with the following treatable complications:
- Constipation.
- Bladder problems.
- Sleep disorders.
- Swallowing difficulties.
- Emotional changes.
- Depression.
- Thinking difficulties.
An individual with Parkinson’s disease can also experience the following:
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Fatigue.
- Pain in different body parts.
- Smell dysfunction.
- Changes in blood pressure.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?
Usually, its diagnosis is based on a thorough physical and neurological exam, medical history and symptoms of the patient, though it can be a difficult task to pin down the symptoms, especially in older people. The doctor can simply identify the symptoms as the illness becomes worse.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?
Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease is incurable. Yet, medications can manage the symptoms. Rarely, surgery is recommended in later instances. The doctor can also suggest physical therapy and to make changes in the lifestyle.
By : Natural Health News
