ABOUT Parkinson Disease - Symptoms and Causes - Maximed Turkey
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that
affects your brain's ability to control movement. More than likely, it was
already misdiagnosed as dementia or Alzheimer's. Parkinson's is a dying breed
of disease and I'm going to tell you why.
Parkinson's disease has been declining since 1958 and
it has been thought that 2000 might see the end of this type of deadly side
effect from the drug levodopa.
The average life expectancy for a person with untreated
Parkinson's disease is 8-12 years, but plenty of people live much longer
because they were able to find an effective treatment early on in their lives.
What Causes Parkinson's Disease?
Establishing a cause for Parkinson's disease is
difficult. In rare cases, it may be due to a genetic predisposition. In most
cases, experts believe that the cause is unknown and there's no way to prevent
it from happening.
Each person may have a different cause for their
disease, but, after years of research, scientists have been able to identify
risk factors that can help you reduce your chances of getting Parkinson's
disease.
What are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease is a slowly developing neurological
disorder. It usually affects older adults, however, early-onset cases have been
documented in younger patients as well. Typically, the first symptom
experienced is a loss of facial expression.
People with Parkinson's disease often have a hard time
smiling or making other facial expressions that used to be second nature to
them. The next most common symptom is tremors that mainly affect the hands and
arms – these can range from being barely noticeable to very severe – but they
may also occur in the legs, jaw, and tongue.
Difficulty with balance and walking also commonly
occurs in people with Parkinson's disease – this can be mild at first but will
likely get worse over time.
How is Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed?
Parkinson's disease is difficult to diagnose. There is
no single test that can diagnose it. Most experts rely on a combination of
information – such as your age, how long you've had symptoms, and certain tests
– to determine whether or not you might have the disease.
Tests that may be done include blood and urine tests
(which can help rule out other conditions), CT scan, PET scan, MRI (which show
the brain's structure and may help detect atrophy), and electromyography(which
measures muscle activity).
How is Parkinson's Disease Treated?
Treatment for warts may include surgical removal of
individual lesions or burning off wart tissue with liquid nitrogen. In most
cases, wart treatment is relatively simple and may slowly work to dissolve the
wart although not every wart has been successfully removed.
There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease. Early
diagnosis and prompt treatment can make a difference in many people. There are
a few options available for treating Parkinson's disease including medications,
surgery, and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Certain medications – such as levodopa – have been
shown to help improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease by improving dopamine
signalling between neurons in the brain. However, this medication may take as
long as six months to take effect and it also causes some side effects allowing
physicians to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for you personally.
What are the Complications of Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease is associated with several
complications. The most common are short-term effects, such as tiredness,
changes in sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating.
In addition to these, several long-term effects have
been noted including dementia and cognitive decline, depression, poor balance
and gait difficulties, difficulty swallowing due to muscle weakness in the neck
and throat region.
Parkinson's disease also causes injuries to the body –
especially to the brain – which can lead to strokes or other types of damage.
Frequently Asked Questions on Parkinson
What are the Early Signs of Parkinson's?
·
Burnout
·
Spasticity and pain in the limbs
·
Short term effects (symptoms that occur during
the early phases of Parkinson's disease)
·
Antipsychotics (medication that can help with
certain psychosis symptoms including hallucinations and delusions)
Any Medication that can help?
Medications to help you sleep (Benzodiazepines, sleeping pills) can make you feel sleepy and tired. If you do not take this medication at night, it could lead to Psychosis.
