Parkinson’s is the disorder of central nervous system (CNS) affecting brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine transmits signals from brain to different nerve cells of the body involved in controlling movement. The disease progresses slowly and worsens over time. Parkinson’s is most often seen in older people. It can also affect young people and drug abusers are at more risk of developing parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s is primarily caused by decreasing levels of dopamine. Dopamine is produced by cells called substantia nigra in the brain and when the cells degenerate dopamine levels fall and the symptoms appear.
Many symptoms of Parkinson’s coincide with symptoms of other neurodegenerative disorders and can be misdiagnosed. Appropriate health care practitioner specialized in nervous system disorders (neurologist) can diagnose it. Symptoms appear mild at first such as difficulty walking, weakness, muscle stiffness which can be confused with arthritis and ageing. As the disease progresses symptoms such as tremor or shaking of hands, instability, uncoordinated movements, cognitive decline appear.
and progress slowly.
slowly and can get unnoticed until it reaches advanced stage.
Doctor specialised nervous system conditions (neurologist) can diagnose Parkinson’s based on medical history, neurological and physical examinations. Neurological tests include MRI, CT scan, PET (positron emission tomography) scan to determine abnormalities in brain.
There is no standard treatment for parkinson. Treatments differs from patient to patient depending on symptoms observed and disease progression. Treatment options include drugs to relieve the symptoms and to provide better quality of life. Drugs that increase or substitute dopamine levels in the body, antidepressants and anti-tremor medications are given. Early diagnosis and treatment slows disease progression improves quality of life of patient.
Physiotherapy exercises help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by improving strength, movement, posture balance, flexibility improving quality of life. Speech therapy can overcome difficulty in swallowing and speaking.
