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Parkinsons Disease | Parkinsons Symptoms
| Parkinsons Treatment | Parkinsons Disease Medication
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Parkinson's
disease (PD) belongs to a group
of conditions called motor system disorders,
which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain
cells.
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The
four primary symptoms of Parkinsons Disease
are tremor, or trembling in
hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of
the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement;
and postural instability, or impaired balance and
coordination.
As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have
difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
Parkinson's Disease usually affects people over the age
of 50. Early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are subtle and
occur gradually.
In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in
others. As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor,
which affects the majority of Parkinson's Disease
patients may begin to interfere with daily activities. Other
symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes;
difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary
problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep
disruptions. There are currently no blood or laboratory tests
that have been proven to help in diagnosing
sporadic
Parkinson's Disease. Therefore the diagnosis is based on
medical history and a neurological examination. The disease
can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors may sometimes
request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out
other diseases. |
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Parkinsons Treatment
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Is there any
treatment for Parkinson's Disease?
At present,
there is no cure for
Parkinson's Disease,
but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the
symptoms. Usually, patients are given levodopa combined with carbidopa.
Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it
reaches the brain. Nerve cells can use levodopa to make dopamine and
replenish the brain's dwindling supply.
Although levodopa helps at least three-quarters of
parkinsonian cases, not all symptoms respond equally to the drug.
Bradykinesia and rigidity respond best, while tremor may be only
marginally reduced. Problems with balance and other symptoms may not
be alleviated at all. Anticholinergics may help control tremor and
rigidity. Other drugs, such as bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole,
and ropinirole, mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, causing the
neurons to react as they would to dopamine. An antiviral drug,
amantadine, also appears to reduce symptoms.
In some cases, surgery may be
appropriate if the disease doesn't respond to drugs. A therapy called
deep brain stimulation (DBS) has now been approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration. In DBS, electrodes are implanted into the
brain and connected to a small electrical device called a pulse
generator that can be externally programmed. DBS can reduce the need
for levodopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the
involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect
of levodopa. It also helps to alleviate fluctuations of symptoms and
to reduce tremors, slowness of movements, and gait problems. DBS
requires careful programming of the stimulator device in order to work
correctly.
(This info on Parkinsons
Disease was retrieved from the National Institute of Health)
Note: There are
Parkinson's Disease LAWYERS specializing in dealing with the legal
issues of Parkinson's Disease patients and their families.
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Parkinson's Disease Attorneys |
This
page is dedicated to Parkinson's Disease. The information
is derived from believed to be reliable government sources
and is not
meant to be medical advice.
Parkinson's Disease needs to be
treated by a qualified medical doctor. |
Parkinsons Disease | Parkinsons Symptoms
| Parkinsons Treatment
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