Parkinson's Disease

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Parkinson's disease is a degenerative condition of the nervous system, which makes ones arms and legs tremble. The muscles even go stiff, making ones movement comparatively slower. More than a million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease,[1] and no treatments are available that fundamentally alter the course of the condition.

Parkinson’s disease was first diagnosed by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817.

Contents

[edit] Why should I be aware of this?

  • Parkinson's disease can seriously impair the quality of life in any age group. *The physical and emotional impact on the family should not be underestimated as the patient becomes increasingly dependent on their support.
  • Parkinson's disease is not fatal, but it can reduce longevity.
  • The disease progresses more quickly in older than younger patients, and may lead to severe incapacity within 10 to 20 years.
  • Having other family members with Parkinson's disease does not appear to have any effect on the severity of the disease.
  • Treatment advances are increasingly effective in alleviating symptoms and even slowing progression of the disease.

[edit] All about Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It is associated with the disruption of motor skills and speech, and uncontrolled shaking. Parkinson's usually begins around age 60, but it can start earlier, and it is more common in men than in women.

A variety of medicines sometimes help symptoms dramatically, but the disease is progressive and almost always gets worse with the passage of time. There can be several different versions of Parkinson’s disease, and both the symptoms and progression of the disease can vary from person to person.

[edit] Causes

While many forms of Parkinson’s are thought to be genetic in nature, the disease can also be cause by blows to the head, toxicity to certain drugs and other medical conditions.

[edit] Risk factors

  • Age -- It ordinarily begins in middle or late years.
  • Heredity -- Having one or more close relatives with Parkinson's increases the chances that you will also develop the disease, although the risk is still less than 5%.
  • Sex -- Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women are.
  • Exposure to toxins -- Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides puts you at slightly increased risk of Parkinson's.

[edit] Symptoms

Symptoms of Parkinson's usually begin on one side of the body.

  • Slow movements (bradykinesia)
  • Tremor
  • Rigidity
  • Poor balance
  • Parkinsonian gait.

[edit] Physical impact

  • Scaling, dry skin on the face and scalp
  • Slow response to questions
  • Small, cramped handwriting
  • Soft, whispery voice

[edit] Emotional impact

  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Restlessness
  • As dependence increases, they become passive and indecisive
  • Fearful
  • Up to one-third of people with Parkinson's Disease may develop dementia and confusion.

[edit] What can I do?

  • Assist your friend or family member with their day-to-day duties and chores. *Strive to find a balance between helping and allowing him to care for himself. *You do not want to increase his stress or make him feel like he is becoming a burden.
  • Preserve your friend or family member's daily activities. It is normal to feel protective but excluding her from activities or decisions will contribute to her feeling of helplessness and being a victim.
  • Involve your friend or family member with others. Do not focus exclusively on his disease and treatment plan when interacting with him. Talk to him about your life, and make plans to visit friends and loved ones. A survivor involved with others has a better chance of avoiding feelings of abandonment.

[edit] 90 degrees -- What we do not know yet

  • Mutations in the genes PINK1, PARKIN, and DJ-1 have each been linked to early-onset inherited forms of Parkinson disease. However, the functional relationship between the proteins generated by these genes and how the mutations lead to Parkinson disease are not well understood.[2]
  • In a study of families with early onset disease, scientists at UCL's Institute of Neurology identified a novel gene which produces a malfunctioning protein that could pave the way for new treatments for Parkinson sufferers.[3]
  • People with a family history of melanoma may have a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease.[4]
  • Researchers at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine have identified a protein from a most unlikely source -- baker's yeast -- that might protect against Parkinson's disease.[1]

[edit] CopperBytes

  • Parkinson's disease normally affects 1 to 2 percent of the ageing population.[3]
  • People with Parkinson's disease have a greater risk of developing melanoma.[4]
  • People with Parkinson's disease only blink 2 to 5 times per minute.
  • Early-onset Parkinson's disease is treated differently than later-onset disease.
  • You can experience hallucinations with Parkinson’s disease

[edit] User Contribution

[edit] More on Parkinson's Disease

[edit] What can I do to help

[edit] Additional information

[edit] References

[edit] Source

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Preventing Protein Clumping Characteristic Of Parkinson's Disease With Baker's Yeast:ScienceDaily
  2. ↑ Protein Complex Linked To Parkinson Disease:ScienceDaily
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 New Hereditary Gene Linked To Parkinson's Disease:ScienceDaily
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Family History Of Melanoma Linked To Parkinson's Disease:ScienceDaily
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