Parkinson’s disease is a
progressive disease of the nervous system. In the United States, 50,000 to
60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year, adding to the
one million people who currently have Parkinson’s disease. In fact, it is
estimated that 4 to 6 million people around the world suffer from the condition.
Parkinson’s disease becomes more common with increasing age, though there are
those diagnosed with early- or young-onset Parkinson’s disease, perhaps actor
Michael J. Fox being the most famous. He was diagnosed at age 30 and has raised
awareness and research for this disease via his foundation.
Symptoms of the disease usually
first appear in people over the age of 50, although as noted above, younger
people can also develop the disease. There is no evidence that Parkinson’s
disease is hereditary, although in around 5% of cases there is another family
member affected. It is believed that genetics may make some people more prone
to developing Parkinson’s disease, but only if combined with exposure to
external factors. To date, scientists have identified nine genes linked to
Parkinson’s disease.
What are the symptoms of
Parkinson’s disease?
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease are tremor, stiff muscles and joints, and slowness or difficulty in
walking. In most people the presenting symptom of the disease is tremor, which
usually begins on one side of the body (unilaterally) in the hand or arm. The
tremor usually occurs at rest and decreases when the affected part is being
used. It usually increases during times of stress or heightened emotion and decreases
during sleep. Stiffness or rigidity of the muscles can also occur; this can be
quite painful and can cause difficulty in performing many everyday motions.
Walking may be slowed and it can be difficult to start to walk. A lack of
coordination may also cause problems. Other symptoms include difficulties with
balance, speech and writing, and sometimes a lack of facial expression, altered
posture and fatigue. Some people may also experience non-motor symptoms such as
cognitive impairment, mood disorders, sleep difficulties, loss of smell,
constipation, and drooling.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
The reasons people develop
Parkinson’s disease are not yet fully known. However, it is known that it is
caused by a decrease in the nerve cells in a particular area of the brain
called the substantia nigra. These cells produce and store dopamine, a chemical
messenger involved in the coordination of movements in the body. The amount of
dopamine being produced is therefore reduced while the level of acetylcholine,
another chemical messenger, remains normal, causing an imbalance between the
two. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease usually appear when around 80% of the
dopamine-producing cells have been lost.
How is Parkinson’s disease treated?
Currently, there is no cure for
Parkinson’s. But there are drugs available that are used to restore the balance
between dopamine and acetylcholine and that can help to control some of the
symptoms.
Levodopa is a natural amino acid that has been used to treat Parkinson’s
disease since the 1960s. Levodopa is converted into dopamine by an enzyme in
the brain. In order to prevent the levodopa being metabolized by this enzyme
before it reaches the brain, it is given in combination with an enzyme
inhibitor (eg, carbidopa) that blocks the enzyme in the gastrointestinal
tract. The inhibitors are not able to pass into the brain and therefore, do not
inhibit the conversion of levodopa into dopamine in the brain. Levodopa
considerably improves symptoms such as stiffness and slowness of movement. The
most commonly prescribed combination is Sinemet (levodopa and carbidopa).
Of those people who respond to
treatment with levodopa, around two-thirds will experience some loss of benefit
after two to five years as their body becomes tolerant to the drug. Some people
will then experience a progressive recurrence of their parkinsonian disability.
Other people, especially younger sufferers, will develop fluctuations in their
mobility throughout the day. This is known as end-of-dose deterioration or the
“wearing-off” effect. Sometimes this effect can be managed by decreasing the
time between doses of levodopa. In some people this may not be effective and
the change between mobility and immobility may become more abrupt; this is
known as the “on/off” effect.
Dopamine agonists stimulate the parts of the brain where dopamine acts. They can
be taken alone or sometimes in combination with Sinemet. They produce fewer
long-term side effects such as the on/off effect and are therefore often used
in younger patients. Commonly prescribed examples arebromocriptine
(Parlodel) and ropinirole (Requip). Other drugs in this class that can
be prescribed are pramipexole (Mirapex) and rotigotine (Neupro). Apomorphine
(Apokyn) is an injectable dopamine agonist that acts very quickly and can be used
for people who experience extreme variations in mobility and need to be active
at specific times. Cabergoline may be used in combination with levodopa,
and pramipexole (Mirapex) may be used alone or in combination with
levodopa. Amantadine promotes the release of dopamine and can help to
reduce involuntary movements, but as it has only a mild effect is suitable for
a smaller number of people.
Anticholinergics are used to correct the balance between acetylcholine and
dopamine by blocking the action of acetylcholine. They are often used in
younger people with milder symptoms. These include benzatropine
(Cogentin), orphenadrine (Norflex), hyoscyamine (Nulev), andtrihexyphenidyl.
COMT inhibitors are a newer class of drugs that block COMT, an enzyme
that breaks down levodopa. This class includes entacapone (Comtan) and tolcapone
(Tasmar). A combined product containing entacapone plus levodopa and carbidopa
is also available (Stalevo).Selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar) slows the
breakdown of dopamine and can increase the effectiveness of Sinemet. Rasagiline
(Azilect) is another drug that works in a similar way.
The use of surgery to treat
Parkinson’s disease has been largely abandoned since the introduction of
levodopa and other drugs. However, recently there has been renewed interest and
new surgical techniques are currently being researched.
How does Parkinson’s disease affect
a person’s life?
Most people with Parkinson’s
disease can lead a long and busy life. Life expectancy is the same as for
people who do not have the disease. Despite problems with everyday life such as
with writing, driving a car, mobility and communication difficulties, much help
and support are available. Physical therapy, speech and language therapy and
occupational therapy are all beneficial.
Self-help measures
◦
Keeping active can help to loosen
stiff muscles and improve speech or posture.
◦
If you shuffle when walking, wear
leather soled shoes to help you keep your balance.
◦
Try to keep your weight at a normal
level as being overweight puts additional strain on your joints and may affect
your mobility.
Try to relieve symptoms of anxiety
as this can make any tremor more severe and can also affect your sleep.
http://www.themedics.info/2016/02/08/the-most-informative-parkinsons-disease-patient-fact-sheet/
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