Parkinsonism Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Parkinsonism is a collection of symptoms and brain dysfunction associated with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is the presence of cell death or dysfunction of brain cells that produce dopamine.
Dopamine itself is an important chemical that connects signals between nerve cells and the brain. Dopamine also functions in movement functions, so people with Parkinson’s will have difficulty moving, such as walking. People with Parkinsonism usually also have other neurological diseases such as dementia.
Symptom
Symptoms of parkinsonism usually appear in the elderly from 50 to 80 years. Symptoms that appear vary and will be progressive, such as:
- difficult to show facial expressions
- muscle stiffness
- obstructed and delayed movement
- speech disorder
- tremor, usually in one hand
- dementia
- hard to control movement
- disturbance of balance
- symptoms that occur suddenly and rapidly worsen
Reason
Parkinsonism can be caused by Parkinson’s disease. Other causes that can also be associated with Parkinsonism are:
- Corticobasal degeneration usually occurs with dementia and impaired movement on one side
- Dementia with Lewy bodies, visual hallucinations may occur
- multiple system atrophy, disrupting the function of urination and defecation
- progressive supranuclear palsy can cause dementia, often falls backward and difficulty moving the eye up and down
- vascular parkinsonism, disturbing balance, gait, and memory of sufferers
- drug-induced parkinsonism, haloperidol, metoclopramide, and aripiprazole
Diagnosis
It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis of Parkinsonism because there is no one specific test. The doctor will start the diagnosis from a detailed medical interview and physical examination.
Supplementary examinations can be carried out. Blood tests, X-rays, CT- scans, MRI, and DaT-SPECT will be done to help confirm the diagnosis. DaT-SPECT test is a test to check the trip of dopamine in the brain.
Treatment
The drug that is often used to treat Parkinson’s disease is levodopa. These drugs can increase dopamine levels in the brain. However, usually sufferers not only have problems with dopamine production but also the cells that must respond to dopamine.
It is quite difficult to treat Parkinsonism because many diseases are associated with this disease. Anti-depressants and botulinum toxin A may also be used for muscle control. Physical and occupational therapy are very important to maintain muscle strength and help patients to be independent.
Prevention
Until now there has been no effort that can be done to completely prevent Parkinson’s one hundred percent.