Parkinsons Disease

By: Jessica Sumner

What is it?
"Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that occurs when certain neurons in the brain die or become impaired. These nerve cells, located in a midbrain structure that controls muscle movement, produce dopamine, the chemical responsible for coordinated muscle function. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease begin to appear when 80 percent of these neurons become damaged."

Background

Parkinson's disease effects both men and women and those of different ethnicities the same, which is highly unusual amongst other disease. This condition typically affect individuals over the age of 65 with 1% of seniors who actually have some form of it There are 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year, and 1.5 million Americans who currently have it.

Symptoms

Persistent body tremors (most common and usually first symptom) Sluggish movement Challenges with balancing Stiffness in the limbs Hand Cramps Muffled Speech Frozen Facial Expression

Symptoms

These symptoms typically occur on one side first and then spread through out the whole body. Everyone reacts to Parkinson's Disease differently. Often enough, those effected by this disease develop a stoop in posture to help maintain their balance. The effects of Parkinson's disease makes it very difficult for men and women to do routine daily activities such as brushing their teeth or getting dressed.

Symptoms

People may start to have impaired thinking. Problem solving, memory and language could be effected as well. Other problems may include impaired vision, sleep disorders, loss of sex drive, and impaired sense of smell. Dementia is three to six times more likely in elderly with Parkinson's than with those without.

Detection

It is not easy to detect Parkinson's disease in the elderly because blood tests and x-rays will not show the condition. It can though, eliminate other diseases. Parkinson's Disease worsens with time and at present there is no cure and only medication to help with the symptoms. It is extremely difficult to diagnosed this disease. Only 5 to 10% of those effected with it show a family history of it and the other 95-90% have no history of it at all.

Diagnosing

In order for a doctor to diagnosed Parkinson's Disease, a neurologist will examine the patient and look at their medical history. People may be misdiagnosed and show symptoms of Parkinson's Disease but actually have Parkinsonism. This happens with 35% of those diagnosed.

Long-Term

It is a irreversible and progressive disease. There are medications that can help with the symptoms. These medications seem to help a lot for patients and often surgery is not needed. Taking medications over a long period of time can lead to sever side effects and could begin not to work.

Long-Term

Most people with Parkinson's have high anxiety and become depressed, embarrassed, and often times become recluse. It may lead to severe incapacity within 10 to 20 years. This is most common among the elderly.

Sources
http://www.agingcare.com/ParkinsonsDisease

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/h ow_serious_parkinsons_disease_000051_4.ht m http://alzheimers.aplaceformom.com/articl es/parkinsons-disease-in-the-elderly