Thinking DifficultiesDepressionEmotional Changes Eating difficultiesSleep Deprivation Bladder ProblemsConstipationBlood pressure changes Smell Dysfunction Fatigue PainSexual Dysfunction
What is PARKINSON’S DISEASE ?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
1. TREMOR: Usually starts in hands or fingers, like rubbing thumb and forefingers, back and forth (pill rolling movement). These tremors may be present at rest also.
2. SLOWING OF MOVEMENTS: This makes simple tasks difficult and time consuming. Walking becomes difficult with a shuffling gait. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to get out of chair.
3. RIGIDITY: Muscles become stiff and movements become painful and the range limited .
4. IMAPAIRED POSTURE: These patients develop a stooped posture with imbalance.
5. LOSS OF AUTOMATIC MOVEMENTS: They have decreased ability to perform subconscious movements like blinking, smiling and swinging of arms.
6. SPEECH CHANGES: Speech becomes soft, slurred and monotonous.
7. WRITING: They usually find it hard to write, with font becoming smaller.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
It’s a degenerative disease. Certain nerve cells break down. The neurons which produce a chemical messenger in the brain (Dopamine) will be lost, resulting in abnormal brain activity leading to the symptoms. In some patients there will be a genetic mutations. Exposure to toxins and other environmental factors can be a cause. LEWY BODIES are specific substances in brain cells, which are microscopic markers. These contain ALPHA SYNUCLEIN an important molecule which is an important area of research in this field.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?
1.AGE:Mostly seen in elderly
2. HEREDITY: Having a close relative with Parkinson’s disease increases the risk.
3. SEX: Males are more affected.
4. TOXINS: Herbicides and pesticides have a role.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?
12.SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION: Loss of libido.
HOW CAN ONE PREVENT:
1.Regular exercise
2.Consumption of Caffeine: Green tea, coffee and tea.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Diagnosis is purely clinical and no imaging is required.
WHAT ARE THE MEDICATIONS?
One should understand that there is no cure for this condition. Medications help in managing problems like walking and tremors.
1.CARBIDOPA –LEVODOPA: This passes into brain and gets converted into dopamine.
2.DOPAMINE LIKE AGENTS: they act like dopamine.
3.MAO INHIBITORS: prevent the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.
4.COMT INHIBITORS: prolong the efficacy of dopamine
CAN ANY SURGERY BE DONE?
DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION: Electrodes are implanted into specific parts of the brain. They are then connected to a generator implanted in the chest. This generator sends impulses to the brain reducing the symptoms of the disease. This is offered only to people with advanced disease, where medical treatment becomes ineffective.
Click Here Book Your Appointment Now