Parkinson’s disease – myths and facts

March 9, 2018

Parkinson’s disease is an alarming neurodegenerative disorder. This is manifested by progressive deterioration of motor functions due to an inability of neurons to produce dopamine. It is more accurately characterized by slow loss of muscle control, which results in the trembling of the limbs and head while the person is at rest. Stiffness, slowness, and impaired balance are also major hallmarks of this disorder. Mostly this mental abnormality is related to age and occurs in people of near or above 60 years. Surgery is last resort for Parkinson’s disease when medications and other measures fail to improve patient condition. Pallidotomy, Thalamotomy, and deep brain stimulation are three kinds of neurosurgery performed by the best neurosurgeons in Lahore and other mainstream cities of Pakistan through Marham – Find a doctor.

Symptoms:

Primary symptoms of this disorder may include

• Tremor
• Stiffness
• Slowness
• Impaired balance
• Later on a shuffling gait

Some secondary symptoms also associated with it such as

• Anxiety
  • Depression
  •    Dementia
  •    Male erectile dysfunction
  •    Skin problems
  •    Slowed and quieter speech
  •    Urinary frequency

Causes:

This disorder mainly happens due to low levels of dopamine. But which players lower the dopamine level is not unmasked properly. It is hypothesized that some genetic or environmental factors may be responsible for this depletion.

 Genetic factors:

Some genes are notoriously related to onset of this mental disorder such as

• SNCA
• PARK2
• PARK7
• PINK1
• LRKK2

Environmental Factor:

Some environmental factors like some chemicals, inflammation, stress or any other brain abnormality can cause this disorder.

Myths about Parkinson’s disease:

In common community, some misconception related to this mental disorder are present which really needed to correct

• Parkinson’s only affects you physically
• Only older people can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s
• It’s a predictable disease
• Besides taking any prescribed medications, you can’t do anything to help with treatment
• Once you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s, there’s little to no hope

Facts about Parkinson’s disease:

It mostly shows motor dysfunction related to movement but in reality, some non-motor symptoms are also associated with this disorder like

• Change in speech
• Change in person behavior
• Increased urination
• Cognitive impairments
• In some cases, people less than the age of 40 years also attacked by this mental disorder. It occurs in only 2 percent of all affected person but still, it is a fact.
• Although any lifestyle modifications like healthy diets and regular exercise may help to minimize the symptoms of this deadly disorder.
• With proper management, people with this disorder can live long and enjoy their life in a much better way.

Diagnosis:

Parkinson’s disease can be diagnosed with the help of following parameters

1. At least two major symptoms should be present
2. The onset of symptoms started on one side of the body
3. Symptoms are not appearing due to some secondary causes like medication or strokes in the brain.

Treatment:

Till the date, no proper and exact treatment is present to cure this disease. Some therapies are used to cope this disease in some better way. Like at an early stage of disease levodopa therapy is used. In severe cases, surgery is also done by which surgeon implants electrodes to stimulate brain cells for dopamine production. But some management techniques may help to reduce the severity of symptoms and also onset of the disease such as

• Regular and easy exercise
• Healthy physical activity of limbs
• Healthy diet
• Avoiding the causative agents if any special the person found.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/212594/parkinsons-disease-myths-and-facts/