Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes unintentional or uncontrolled bodily movements. As a result, this condition affects the body’s motor system, resulting in non-motor symptoms such as stiffness, tremors, difficulty walking, rigidity, slowness, unbalance, and so on. Other non-motor symptoms may result in issues such as apathy, sadness, anxiety, weariness, forgetfulness, etc. Parkinson’s Disease is common as part of Parkinsonian syndrome, a collection of progressive mental illnesses affecting the neurological system and nerve-controlled body components.
Parkinson’s Disease causes the death or dysfunction of neurons in the brain’s basal ganglia. Dopamine neurotransmitter is produced by neurons in this area and is responsible for the movement or motor system of the body, governing the movement of bodily parts. The generation of norepinephrine is also hampered in Parkinson’s Disease. Norepinephrine is a chemical messenger generated at the nerve ends responsible for managing many blood flow processes. A lack of this chemical messenger causes non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease is also characterized by aberrant accumulation and aggregation of misfolded proteins known as alpha-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies. The aetiology of Parkinson’s Disease is yet unknown. That is why PD is sometimes referred to as “idiopathic parkinsonism”.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face may be expressionless. When you walk, your arms may not swing. Your speech may become slurred or soft. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as the disease progresses. Tremors are common, but the disorder is also associated with stiffness or slowed movement.
Exercise of any kind is known to benefit patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, physio at home, in particular, is crucial. nurse at home provides compassionate and timely care to patients suffering from movement disorders such as dystonia, ataxia, Parkinson’s, and others.
Symptoms:
The main symptoms of PD are non-motor symptoms (autonomic dysfunction such as constipation and urinary dysfunction), neuropsychiatric disorders (changes in mood, cognition, depression, behaviour or thinking), sensory (changes in the sense of smell) and sleep disorders. These symptoms appear late in PD.
Causes:
Parkinson’s Disease is not yet fully understood, but some researchers believe PD combines environmental factors and genetic traits. However, the genetic causes of PD are only recognized in 10 % of cases.
At least 11 autosomal dominant and nine autosomal recessive gene mutations are involved in the development of PD.
Non-genetic causes are environmental, i.e., exposure to various drugs, drinks, tobacco, and other chemicals. Drug-induced parkinsonism can usually be reversed by stopping the causative medication, such as chlorpromazine, promazine, haloperidol, benperidol, metoclopramide and tetrabenazine. MPTP is a drug that causes irreversible parkinsonism and is often used in research on animal models. Low blood urate concentrations are associated with an increased risk of PD. People exposed to pesticides are more likely to develop the Disease. On the other hand, smokers and coffee or tea drinkers have a lower risk of PD.
Diagnosis:
PD can be diagnosed based on neurological examination, symptoms, and the patient’s medical history. Although the symptoms are identical, different medication is required for various causes. Laboratory tests cannot be used to screen PD for non-genetic reasons, as several other conditions may present with similar symptoms.
An autopsy of the midbrain is performed for a definitive diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. The Lewy bodies in the midbrain sections of a neuron are considered a conclusion for a person with PD. CT scan of the individual midbrain sections of neurons is assessed, and sensitivity-weighted imaging sequences at a magnetic field strength of at least 3T) can demonstrate the absence of the characteristic “dovetail” imaging pattern in the dorsolateral substantia nigra. Neuromelanin MRI can distinguish a person with Parkinson’s from healthy individuals.
Prevention:
Parkinson’s Disease is not curable, as there are no medications that eliminate the effects of PD on the brain and nervous system. Prevention is possible through various daily activities such as exercise. Exercise can reduce the likelihood of getting PD, and coffee and tea can reduce the risk of PD. However, the results of coffee research are contradictory, and no positive effects have been shown. Results on fats and fatty acids are unpredictable, and different studies report a protective effect, increased risk, or no effect. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E are thought to protect against Disease. There is preliminary evidence that anti-inflammatories and calcium channel blockers may be protective. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the frequency of PD by up to 15% in the initial phase of use.
Treatment:
As PD is an incurable disease, certain activities and medications can help control the symptoms. Dopamine deficiency is a significant cause of Parkinson’s symptoms. Therefore, available drugs that raise dopamine levels can help relieve symptoms or reduce their frequency. In some cases, brain surgery may also be performed.
Levodopa is the primary therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. The nerve cells convert levodopa into dopamine, replenishing the brain’s depleted supply. Medications can mitigate the typical adverse effects of levodopa therapy. Carbidopa increases the amount of levodopa and reduces the side effects of levodopa therapy, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure. People with Parkinson’s Disease should not stop taking levodopa without telling their doctor. Suddenly stopping the medicine can cause serious side effects such as immobility and shortness of breath. Nowadays, healthcare facilities offer comprehensive and professional nurse-at-home services for proper care and management. Your doctor may prescribe other medications listed below to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease:
A dopamine agonist, which stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain
Enzyme inhibitors that increase the amount of dopamine by slowing down the enzymes that break down dopamine in the brain (e.g., MAO -B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors)
Amantadine to reduce involuntary movements
Anticholinergics, which reduce tremors and muscle stiffness
Conclusion:
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder related to the body’s movement-related activities and cognitive functions. Depending on what is known, some preventive measures can be taken by taking assistance from the nurse at home in Chennai offered by Apollo Homecare. PD is a disease with no cure, but it is known that medications, therapies, and surgery can relieve PD symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
