Parkinson's Eating Away Old Generation

By Nikhil Jayakrishnan

Published: 11th February 2016

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 

Most general discourse surrounding health is largely squared on life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart ailments, etc, while the one, which though might not threaten life but is as life-debilitating is not finding a platform. It is none other than Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s, a neuro degenerative disease which occurs in people roughly after they cross middle-age, is increasing in incidence around the world, and the state is no exception. So what explains the rising cases of Parkinson’s disease?

“Parkinson’s being a disease largely associated with old age, the increase in number of patients is due to the improving life span of people in the state over the last decade,” says Dr Boby Varkey Maramattom, Consultant Neurology and Interventional Neurology at Aster Medcity.

Unlike common health disorders, Parkinson’s has very little to do with lifestyle. It is, in fact the onset of accelerated aging in an individual, brought about by the death of dopamine-generating cells. Dopamines are neurotransmitters that send signals to nerve cells. The onset of Parkinson’s can result in conditions like rigidity of movement, trembling, delayed thought processes, even dementia. “The only external factors that are likely to trigger the onset of Parkinson’s are viral infections of the brain like encephalitis, or head injuries. A famous instance of Parkinson’s brought about by head injury is that of boxer Mohammed Ali,” notes Dr Varkey.

Continued usage of psychotropic substances, he notes, also poses considerable risk of a possible onset of the disease, since they tend to block the functions of dopamines. Research has revealed that Parkinson’s disease manifests itself in the body at least in 5 to 10 years before the external symptoms appear. “As of now, no permanent cure or preventive measure exists for this condition,” he added.

Parkinson’s Disease

A  neuro degenerative disease that occurs with old age

Caused by the decline of cells that generate dopamine

Dopamine is used by nerve cells to send signals to other nerve cells 

Symptoms of the disease are rigidity, slow movement, trembling of the body, thinking and behavioural problems and dementia

People above 50 most likely to be affected by the condition

No permanent cure exists for Parkinson’s

http://health.einnews.com/article/311076604/dt_UrHeB-MzW2Qk5