Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview

What is Parkinsons disease?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic disorder that affects the body’s movements. The disease almost always presents with a tremor, rigidity of muscles and slow movements. The disease starts slowly on one side of the body and then can progress to involve the entire body. Parkinsons disease is often first identified by family members who may notice that the individual has no facial expression, rarely smiles or has slow movements. The speech is often very soft, slow and slurred.
What are symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
The symptoms of Parkinsons disease vary quite a bit from person to person. However, most individuals do develop a fine tremor which begins in the hand. Another feature is slow movements. Even the simplest tasks like holding a pencil or a spoon can become difficult. Most people find it hard to initiate movements. Sometimes, it appears that the individual has become frozen into space. Rigidity of the legs, hands and neck is also another feature of PD. The rigidity can be intense and often causes pain. As the disease progresses, one walks with a shuffling gait and often looses balance. A common feature of Parkinsons disease is the fixed expression or a “mask like face.” These individuals rarely smile, blink or show emotions. Parkinsons disease symptoms also include altered speech which becomes very soft and monotonous.
Do patients with Parkinsons disease develop dementia?
Fortunately dementia is very rare in patients with PD. In the later stages some individuals may develop problems with memory and concentration. Sometimes the memory problems are worsened by medications.
What causes Parkinsons disease?
The exact cause is not known but the pathology is related to the lack of a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine. Specific dopaminergic nerves in the brain slowly start to disappear and Parkinson’s sets in. It is believed that perhaps genetic mutation(s) or some type of environmental toxin may play a role in the disease. Several toxins have been identified which can induce Parkinsons disease in animals but their role in causing disease in humans is not understood.
Can anyone develop Parkinsons disease?
Even though Parkinsons disease occurs most commonly in elderly individuals, some young people do develop it in the 4th decade of life. Besides age, having a close relative with PD increases the chance that you may also develop the disorder. Men are more prone to PD than women are.
Is there a cure for Parkinsons disease?
Unfortunately no. However, there are medications that can help reduce the tremors and rigidity. In most cases, the medications do work in the short term but often fail in the long term.
What is the role of surgery in parkinsons disease?
Unfortunately, surgery is useful in less than 3 % of people with Parkinsons. Deep brain stimulation is a relatively new technique whereby electrodes are placed in the brain and reduces symptoms of parkinsons disease. This technique only works in people who have responded previously to L-dopa. Surgery for Parkinsons disease is riskier and the procedure can induce a stroke, bleeding or paralysis.