Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons Disease is a progressive movement disorder that causes:
  • Rigidity
  • Tremors
  • Stiffness
  • Difficulty moving

Causes

The symptoms of Parkinsons Disease are caused by destruction of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, and a decrease in dopamine throughout the brain. It is not known what causes these two problems.
Secondary parkinsonism is a condition with similar symptoms, but nerve cell death can be traced to several causes, including:
  • Antipsychotic drugs (such as Haldol)
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Manganese poisoning
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Brain tumors
  • IV drug abuse of N-MTP
  • Encephalitis
  • Reserpine

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
  • Age: 50 or older
  • Family members with Parkinsons disease

Symptoms

Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease begin mildly and progressively worsen over time.
Symptoms include:
  • Pill-rolling tremor in the hands
  • Tremors often worsen at rest and are absent during sleep
  • Stiffness and rigidity of muscles
  • Difficulty and shuffling when walking
  • Short steps
  • Slowness of purposeful movements
  • Trouble performing usual tasks, due to shaking in hands
  • Trouble speaking
  • Flat, monotonous voice
  • Stuttering
  • Shaky, spidery handwriting
  • Poor balance
  • Tendency to fall
  • Stooped posture
  • Increasingly mask-like face, with little variation in expression
  • Trouble chewing and swallowing
  • Depression

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. There are no tests to definitively diagnose Parkinson's disease. The doctor will ask many questions to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Tests to rule out other medical conditions may include:
  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests
  • CT or MRI scans of the head

Treatment

Currently there are no treatments to cure Parkinsons Disease or stop its progression. A number of medications are used to improve symptoms. Over time, however, their side effects may become troublesome and they may begin to lose their effectiveness.
Medications
Medications include:
  • Amantadine
  • Anticholinergics
  • Selegi
  • Bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole and ropinirole
  • Levodopa
Surgery
A variety of brain operations are being researched including:
  • Destroying certain areas of the brain ? to improve tremor in patients for whom medication is not effective
  • Deep brain stimulation ? implanting a device to stimulate certain parts of the brain and decrease tremor
  • Nerve-cell transplants ? to increase dopamine production within the brain
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can improve muscle tone, strength, and balance.
Psychological Support
Joining a support group with other people who are learning to live with the challenges of Parkinson's disease can be very helpful.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Parkinson's disease.