Parkinsons Disease

Symptoms and treatment of PD

Parkinson’s disease is a brain condition in which the dopamine-producing areas of the brain gradually diminish. Dopamine controls the coordination and reflex centers of the brain. If this condition occurs, the brain’s movement control centers can become erratic. This is what causes the common Parkinson’s disease symptoms of tremors, slowness of movements, stiffness, rigidity, shaking and inability to maintain body balance. Over time, the physical symptoms become worse as the brain’s dopamine centers slowly die off.

The latest information on Parkinson’s disease shows that it afflicts men and women equally, with approximately 2 million Americans suffering from the condition. After Alzheimers, Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease afflicting American seniors. While it is more common in the later years of a person’s life, specifically after age 65, individuals aged 50 and over make up about 15 percent of Parkinson’s sufferers. It is estimated that one in every hundred people is at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in their lifetime.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are often minor and can be overlooked. The most common sign of the disease is the rest tremor, but not all patients develop a tremor. Unlike other symptoms, the tremor does not seriously disable a person’s usual activities, but it is the most damaging symptom psychologically. Many times, the patient will grab onto something or place the hand in a pocket in an attempt to anchor it and stop the trembling. Other common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include a firm or fixed facial expression, small handwriting, muffled speech, irregular pace or walking style and depression. Initially, the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are only felt on a single limb or side of the body, but they will spread to the other side over time.

Treatment

There are several new drugs on the market that have been approved as Parkinson’s disease treatments. Most of these are aimed at replacing or copying the effects of dopamine. New research is being done all the time, much of which shows promising results in slowing the progression of the disease and reversing existing brain decay. Surgery is an option for Parkinson’s disease treatment, but it is usually considered a last resort because of the risks involved.