Parkinson’s Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which there is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. The disease develops gradually and is sometimes preceded by a tremor or shaking of one hand.
Although tremor is one of the most recognized signs of Parkinson’s disease, it is also commonly associated with rigidity or slowness of movement.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, the face may show minimal expression or no expression at all. Arms can also appear not swinging when walking.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatment can relieve signs and symptoms. Sometimes, doctors can recommend surgery to regulate certain parts of the brain to relieve certain complaints as well.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can vary from individual to individual. Signs that arise in the initial conditions can be mild and undetectable.
They generally arise and occur on one side of the body and are usually worse on that side, even though symptoms on the other side have started to appear. Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors. Tremor, or shaking, generally occurs in one limb, often in the hand or fingers. Occasionally, there may be pill-rolling tremors, which are repetitive movements of the thumb and forefinger. One of the characteristics of Parkinson’s disease is a tremor of the hand at rest.
- Slow movements (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson’s disease can reduce the ability to move and slow down movement. This makes simple tasks difficult for someone with Parkinson’s and takes a long time to complete.
Footsteps may become shorter when walking or a sufferer may have difficulty getting out of a chair. In addition, the feet can also drag when walking, which makes it difficult to move.
- Stiff muscles. Muscle stiffness can occur in any part of the body. Stiff muscles can limit movement and cause pain.
- Disturbed posture and balance. Posture can change, and sufferers can experience balance disorders due to Parkinson’s disease.
- Loss of subconscious automatic movement. People with Parkinson’s disease may find it difficult to perform unconscious movements, such as blinking their eyes or swinging their arms while walking.
- Changes in speech patterns. Individuals can experience changes in speech patterns as a result of Parkinson’s disease. Speech may become smoother, faster, slurred, or hesitate before speaking. The manner of speaking also appears to be more monotonous compared to the commonly observed pitch changes.
- Change of writing pattern. Individuals may have difficulty writing and handwriting may be smaller.
Parkinson’s Disease Reason
In Parkinson’s disease, some nerve cells in the brain slowly burst or die. Many of the symptoms that arise are the result of loss of nerve cells that produce a chemical in the brain called dopamine.
When dopamine levels decrease, this causes abnormal brain activity. This then causes signs of Parkinson’s disease.
The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known, but several factors are thought to play a role, including:
- genetic factor. Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause Parkinson’s disease. However, it is quite rare in the population, except for family members who have Parkinson’s disease. However, certain genetic variations can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
- Environmental factor. Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. But the risk is also relatively lower.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is generally determined through a detailed medical interview, direct physical examination, and supporting examinations if needed. The physical examination performed generally includes an examination of the neurological status.
Doctors can advise sufferers to do blood tests in the laboratory. The goal is to rule out other possible causes.
Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and positron emission tomography (PET), may also be done to rule out other causes. However, imaging tests cannot directly establish the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Although Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured, medication can be given to relieve the symptoms that arise. In advanced and severe cases, surgery can also be performed.
Doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes, especially aerobic exercise. In some cases, physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching may also be beneficial. Speech and language therapy can also help with speech pattern disorders that are experienced.
Treatment can help relieve problems with walking, movement, and tremors. The medication increases dopamine, which is a signaling chemical in the brain. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease have low levels of dopamine in the brain.
Parkinson’s sufferers generally show improvement after starting treatment. Unfortunately, the benefits of treatment begin to decline over time.
Prevention
Because the cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known with certainty, there is no proven way to prevent the disease. However, some research shows that caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, and cola, can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Green tea is also known to have the same benefits. In addition, several studies also show that regular aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.