Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder which is caused by a persons brain cells producing less and less dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls movement, body, and emotions. There are several risk factors for this disease. Age is a major risk factor because most people develop this disease around 60 years of age. It is very rare for someone to develop this disease at a young age. Heredity is another risk factor. If you have a close family member who has Parkinson's disease then there is a higher chance that you will also develop this disease. Another risk factor is sex. Men are much more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women. The last major risk factor is exposure to toxins. If you have had ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides then you are at a higher risk for Parkinson's disease. To find out more about Parkinson's disease you can go to http://www.pdf.org/about_pd.
(Parkinson's disease effect on brain)
The most common symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tremors, stiffness, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Tremors usually occur in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face. At the early onset of Parkinson's disease these tremors may not even be noticeable but as the disease progresses the tremors usually worsen. Stiffness is another symptom of Parkinson's disease. It usually occurs in the limbs and trunk area of the body. Bradykinesia is a slowness of movement that is seen in a great deal ofpatients with Parkinson's disease. Finally, postural instability, or impaired balance, is another common symptom of this disease.
(List of Parkinson's symptoms)
Is there any treatment?
Parkinson's disease cannot be cured but medicine can help to manage symptoms. Some people may even undergo surgery on some parts of the brain to reduce symptoms. Many doctors will recommend lifestyle changes for patients with Parkinson's disease. These can include exercise and physical therapy which will help with balance, mobility, and daily living. Most patients who take medication and exercise regularly will have dramatically less symptoms. There is a lot of research going into new treatment methods for this disease.
(Parkinson's disease treatment through physical therapy)
No comments:
Post a Comment