James Parkinson

James Parkinson first discovered Parkinson's Disease in 1817. Parkinson's Disease is a common neurologic disorder for the elderly. It is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. This disease is associated with damage to a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Parkinson's Disease is a chronic illness that is still being extensively studied. Parkinson's Disease has caused problems for many people in this world and plagued the elderly all over the world.

Parkinson's disease still puzzles doctors and the causes are unknown. It is known that it is a non-communicable disease and may even be hereditary. Parkinson's disease is thought to be caused by external factors. Most of the cases of this disease are caused by progressive deterioration of the nerve cells, which control muscle movement. Dopamine, one of the substances used in the brain to transmit impulses, is produced in the area of deterioration. Without this vital dopamine nerve cells cannot properly transmit messages resulting in a loss of muscle function.Parkinson's Disease is a non-communicable disease and doctors have not yet found out whether or not it is a hereditary disease.

Parkinson's Disease has many distinct symptoms. The symptoms are:

Muscle Rigidity

stiffness

difficulty bending arms or legs

unstable, stooped, or slumped-over posture

loss of balance

walking pattern changes

slow movements

difficulty beginning to walk

difficulty initiating any voluntary movement

small steps followed by the need to run to maintain balance

freezing of movement when the movement is stopped, inability to resume - movement

muscle aches and pains

shaking, tremors (varying degrees, may not be present)

characteristically occur at rest, may occur at any time

may become severe enough to interfere with activities

may be worse when tired, excited, or stressed

finger-thumb rubbing (pill-rolling tremors) may be present

changes in facial expression

reduced ability to show facial expressions

"mask" appearance to face

staring

may be unable to close mouth

reduced rate of blinking

voice/speech changes

slow speech

low-volume voice

monotone

difficulty speaking

loss of fine motor skills

difficulty writing, may be small and illegible