Parkinson’s Disease Paper

Parkinson’s disease Paper

One million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s disease. This disease is a movement disorder that continues and worsens over time. Parkinson’s is a disease that has not been found a good cause for. After 200 years of finding this disorder researchers know many symptoms comes from certain nerve cells in a area of the brain. It is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a decrease in the production of dopamine in the body. This neurotransmitter, Dopamine, is the cause for the body’s smooth muscle movements. When dopamine is no longer produced as much the Parkinson’s disease symptoms start to show because the muscles are not controlled.80% or more of dopamine is lost in Parkinson’s patients by time the symptoms show. Some researchers say that this disease is from genetic and environmental factors. Also drugs and toxins cause symptoms to those of Parkinson’s. The genetic part is said that if you first family had Parkinson’s then your most likely to also. Environmental factors were if you lived near herbicides and pesticides you’re more likely to develop this disease. If you live on a farm or in a rural area and drink well water then you have a even higher risk of developing this disease. Different medications taken over a long period of time can cause symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as Haloperidol, and chlorpromazine. These drugs don’t cause Parkinson’s but just the symptoms and when taken away the symptoms top.

Parkinson’s disease is a rare disorder in people younger then 30 years of age. Symptoms usually start in your late 50’s or 60’s. Men are more likely then women to develop Parkinson’s. It is very difficult to diagnose accurately just with symptoms. Usually doctors have to look at brain scans and do other test to make sure its not anything else. Although Symptoms are different from person to person, most all of them are physical impairments like Legs, arms, and hands shake unwillingly, there’s also slow movement and bad posture which are symptoms too. Involuntary movement may involve slowing down or stopping while participating in familiar situations like walking, eating, or getting dress. Stiffness or muscle weakness will occur with the jumping actions that interfere with smooth muscle movement. Muscles start to degenerate and continue to affect the body’s physical appearance and structure. The face usually is affected and most Parkinson’s patients that have a lot of symptoms and are in the later stages of the disease develop a "masked face" this is where they show no expression, and movement of the esophagus is difficult. After about 4 or 5 years and a prognosis is made, many patients are extremely less mobile and have worsened symptoms.

Treatment is the process to help patients side effects of drugs and symptoms calm down so the way of life for the patient is not effect a lot. The goal is to minimize disability and maintain control over side effects and symptoms. Many medications can be given to reduce symptoms and help with pain, although it does not get rid of the disease. Surgery is the only other option for patients with bad symptoms and has failed every other therapy. Pallidotomy is the name of the surgery use more. It is where a probe is placed in the brain to destroy the overactive part of the brain. This is thought to eliminate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Another surgery is the removal of the thalamus region of the brain. This is rarely done and is the last resort in treatment. Deep Brain stimulation (DBS) is an alternative procedure to destroy small regions of the brain. This is a new finding and a thin electrode is implanted into the brain and blocks brain waves to causes the symptoms. Other treatment does not even deal with doctors. This is self-care; you have to change your lifestyle a little for this to be affective. You’d have to start eating a balanced diet with grains, fruit, and vegetables which are high in fiber. Metamucil and lots of fluids help prevent constipation. Exercise helps improve mobility and is very important in therapy. This is extremely demanding on patients with Parkinson’s disease but it