Parkinson’s Syndrome

What is it?

It is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Its onset is gradual. It starts with tremors and progresses to stiffness and generalized slowness.

What are the symptoms?

• Tremors
• Expressionless face
• Slowing of movements called bradykinesia
• Muscle stiffness
• Generalized slowness
• Impaired posture and balance
• Loss of automatic movements
• Speech and writing changes

What are the risk factors?

• Middle age
• More common in men
• Heredity has a role
• Exposure to toxins

What are the causes?

Certain nerve cells in the brain gradually break down and die. These neurons produce a chemical called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease manifest.

• Genetic mutations can cause Parkinson’s disease
• Environmental factors like exposure to toxins
• Presence of a marker called Lewy bodies.

What are the problems associated with Parkinson’s disease?

• Cognitive problems
• Depression and emotional changes
• Swallowing and chewing difficulties
• Sleep disorders
• Bladder problems and constipation
• Fatigue and pain
• Sexual dysfunction

How can one diagnose?

• Proper clinical history and a detailed neurological examination
• No imaging is needed
• Improvement of symptoms with medication clinches the diagnosis.

Treatment:

There is no cure for this condition

• Symptoms can be controlled with medication. Over a period of time the effect of medications will diminish
• Physical therapy and life style changes
• Surgery: deep brain stimulation where surgeons implant electrodes into specific parts of brain. These electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in the chest. This sends electrical impulses to the brain, which control the symptoms. DBS can stabilize medication fluctuations, reduce involuntary movements, rigidity and tremors. It makes the patient more mobile.

Authored By Dr. Sai Sudarsan