Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

It is a rare disorder that roots a number of problems with eye movements, balance and walking. Progressive supranuclear palsy consequents from cells deterioration in the brain areas that control our thinking and movement.

The disorder can worsen gradually and can invite a number of serious complications for example swallowing problems and pneumonia. Unfortunately, progressive supranuclear palsy is incurable; however its treatment intents to control its symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

In case of suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Unable to aim the eyes appropriately.
• Loss of balance when you are walking.

Moreover, other symptoms of the disorder tend to vary and can imitate the ones of dementia and Parkinson’s disease. As progressive supranuclear palsy progresses, these symptoms can worsen.

Few of which are:

• Sleep disturbance.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Problems with swallowing and speech.
• Falling.
• Stiffness.
• Awkward movements.
• Impulsive behavior.
• Difficulties with decision-making, analyzing and memory.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Rigid facial muscles can cause a facial expression of fright or surprise.

When Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance?

In case of developing the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy, do not delay to call up for an appointment with the health care provider.

What Causes Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

Researchers have yet not identified the precise cause of progressive supranuclear palsy. However, as mentioned earlier, it consequents from cells deterioration in the brain areas that control our thinking and movement.

Interestingly, researchers have discovered that these deteriorating cells have abnormal levels of tau, a protein.

Quite rarely, it occurs in someone with a family history. However, the genetic link tends to be unproven, since majority individuals with the disorder have not inherited progressive supranuclear palsy.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?

The mere proven factor is age as it is observed that progressive supranuclear palsy usually targets individuals near 60 years of age. It is hardly diagnosed in individuals less than forty years of age.

How Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Diagnosed?

The disorder is hard to diagnose as symptoms are nearly similar to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. However, some indications that may distinguish progressive supranuclear palsy from Parkinson’s disease are:

• Tremors.
• Difficulty to move the eyes.
• Symptoms that may fail to respond the medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Moreover, the doctor can recommend the following:

• MRI.
• PET.

How Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treated?

Unfortunately, progressive supranuclear palsy is incurable; however there are treatments that can help managing its signs and symptoms.

Few of the treatment options are:

• Eyeglasses with prism or bifocal lenses.
• Botulinum toxin type A.
• Medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
• Swallowing and speech evaluations.
• Occupational and physical therapy.

To develop medications that can help treat the disorder, researchers are trying hard. Moreover, these medications will also comprise of therapies which can block the development of tau.

By : Natural Health News