What do doctors call this condition?
Parkinsonism, paralysis agitation, paralysis shaking
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| parkinson's causes symptoms and treatment |
What is this condition?
Named for James Parkinson, the English physician who wrote the first accurate description of the disease in 1817, Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive movement disorder characterized by muscle rigidity, absence of voluntary motion (enkinesia), loss or absence, and causing involuntary tremor. Does.
One of the most common serious illnesses in the United States, Parkinson's disease affects men more often than women, and strikes 1 in every 100 people over the age of 60. Due to longevity, approximately 60,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. alone.
what causes it?
However, anonymity of the cause of Parkinson's disease, brain studies have established that dopamine, a neurotransmitter deficiency, prevents brain cells from performing their normal functions within the central nervous system.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
Cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease begin with muscle tightness and stiffness and in the fingers (unilateral "pill-roll" tremor), increase during stress or anxiety, and decrease with purposeful movement and sleep. . . Muscle stiffness leads to muscle strain, which may be uniform or jerky.
Akinesia causes a person with Parkinson's disease to walk with difficulty, either bending backwards or falling forward.
Akinesia also produces high-pitched, monotonous sounds; drooling; A masked facial expression; Loss of currency control; And difficulty swallowing or speaking (or both). Sometimes, the person's eyes are fixed upward with involuntary tonic movements, or the eyelids are completely closed. Parkinson's disease itself does not affect intelligence, but a co-disorder, such as arteriosclerosis, can do so.
How is it diagnosed?
Lab tests are generally not helpful in identifying Parkinson's disease, so the diagnosis is based on the person's age and history and the characteristic clinical picture of the disease. However, a urinal has supported the diagnosis by lowering dopamine levels. A conclusive diagnosis is possible after unrealistic depression, cerebral arteriosclerosis, other causes of tremor, and intracranial tumors, Wilson's disease, or poisoning with phenothiotin or other drugs in people 30 years of age.
How is it treated?
Because there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, the primary purpose of treatment is to relieve symptoms and keep the person functional for as long as possible. Treatment includes neurosurgery in severe cases of drugs, physical therapy and medications.
Drug therapy typically involves loropopa, a dopamine replacement that is most effective in the early stages of the disease. It is given in increasing doses until symptoms are relieved or side effects are seen. Because side effects can be severe, a combination drugsinmet-is often given. When Lloropa proves to be inappropriate, alternative drug therapies include anticovelix, such as artin; Antihistamines, such as benadryl; And Symmetrel, an antiviral agent. Aldepril, an enzyme-inhibiting agent, allows the preservation of dopamine and enhances the therapeutic effect of Loroda.
When drug therapy fails, stereotactic neurosurgery may be an option. In this process, electrical coagulation, freezing, radioactivity, or ultrasound are used to inactivate a small, specific part of the brain to prevent involuntary movement. It is most effective in young, otherwise healthy people with unilateral tremor or muscle rigidity. However, neurosurgery can only relieve symptoms.
Individually employed physical therapy to maintain normal muscle tone and function are complementary to drug treatment and neurosurgery
What can a person with Parkinson's disease do?
- • If you have difficulty eating, eat small meals continuously to increase your calorie intake.
- • To help establish a regular bowel elimination routine, drink plenty of fluids and eat high fiber foods.
- • If you have trouble going from a seating position, consider installing a high toilet seat.
- • If you have extreme tremor, you can get partial control of your body to stabilize yourself by sitting in a chair.
- • Remember that due to fatigue you may be more dependent on others.
- • As instructed by your doctor, use the proper position to help prevent bed sores and contractions.
- • If you are taking Loredopa, follow your doctor's instructions on which foods to avoid (such as multivitamin preparations and fortified cereals).
- • Take home safety measures to prevent accidents.
- • For more information, contact the National Parkinson Foundation or United Parkinson Foundation.
