Disease: Parkinson's Disease

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, disabling disease that can rob people of the ability to walk and cause other movement problems. There is no known cure, but medications can slow the progress of Parkinson's.

Researchers are predicting that by 2030, the number of people over age 50 diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 15 of the most populous countries worldwide will double, to 8.7 million.

In the United States, about 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, adding to the estimated 1.5 million Americans who already have it.

Risk factors for Parkinson's disease, which is a debilitating movement disorder, include advancing age and exposure to industrial chemicals.

Parkinson's Disease: A Neurological Disorder

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disease, or brain disorder, that leads to progressive difficulty with balance and coordination. In people who have Parkinson's disease, nerve cells in a region of the brain known as the substantia nigra become damaged or die. These cells are important because they produce the chemical dopamine, which helps to coordinate body movement.

When dopamine-producing cells die, the areas in the brain that control movement can no longer function properly, and symptoms of Parkinson's disease eventually develop.

Parkinson’s Disease Prevalence

Parkinson's disease can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in people who are over the age of 50. Only 15 percent of Parkinson's disease patients are diagnosed before they are 50 years old.

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is nearly the same in both men and women. People with a family history of Parkinson's may have a higher risk of developing the disease, but Parkinson's disease is rarely attributed to genetics alone.

Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually develop after about 80 percent of the brain's dopamine-producing cells are lost. The chief symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:

  • Tremors. Tremulousness (uncontrolled shaking or trembling) of the hands, arms, legs, or face is often one of the first indicators of Parkinson's disease.
  • Rigidity. Profound stiffness, or an inability to easily move the arms, legs, and trunk, is another hallmark of Parkinson's.
  • Bradykinesia. Bradykinesia describes the unnaturally slow movements that are characteristic of people with Parkinson's disease.
  • Poor balance. Parkinson's disease affects balance, leading to difficulty walking and impaired coordination.

The symptoms of Parkinson's are generally mild at first, but become more severe over time, until they eventually interfere with your daily routine. This is usually the point when treatment is recommended.

The Outlook for People With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive condition, which means it is a lifelong disease that worsens over time.

Each individual's situation is different, but in general, the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually don't require treatment and may be restricted to one area or one side of the body. As Parkinson's disease progresses, a person with the condition will likely experience:

  • Movement of symptoms to the other side of the body
  • Tremors that become more pronounced and interfere with activities
  • Bradykinesia, or slow movement, that becomes disabling
  • Difficulty with hand writing
  • Impaired swallowing and chewing
  • Speech that becomes monotone
  • Poor balance and repeated falls
  • Slow, shuffling gait (manner of walking)
  • Stooped posture
  • Facial expressions that become stiff and blank
  • Chronic constipation
  • Poor bladder control
  • Sleep disturbances

This progression is gradual in most people, but it may happen faster in some than others. Understandably, stress caused by the progression of the disease can lead to anxiety and depression.

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. If you are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it is important to work closely with your medical team, so your medications can be regularly adjusted to help you remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com

Define Common Diseases

Welcome to WebHealthNetwork, here you can find information, definitaions and treatement options for most common diseases, sicknesses, illnesses and medical conditions. Find what diseases you have quick and now.