Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive motor movement disease resulting from a loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. It is estimated that 500,000 people in the United States are currently living with Parkinson’s disease. Approximately 50,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year in the United States. This disease affects older individuals (average age of onset is sixty) and appears to be slightly more common in men than women. There is currently no known cure for this condition.

While medicine has produced a number of theories about the causes of Parkinson’s disease, no one knows for sure what causes this condition. Scientists are currently investigating the cause of Parkinson’s disease, looking at factors like exposure to toxins, other environmental factors, and genetic traits.

There are four primary symptoms that occur in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Tremors and shaking in the extremities, jaw, face, and hands is a common characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. Another common feature of the disease is stiffness or rigidity in major parts of the body. Slowness of movement, brachycardia, is also common in Parkinson’s disease. The fourth primary characteristic is trouble with balance and coordination, also called postural instability. There are additional symptoms that may occur in patients with Parkinson’s disease including depression, trouble chewing and swallowing, sleep disturbances, urinary dysfunction, and skin problems. In some patients with Parkinson’s disease, symptoms may be debilitating or may only mildly interfere with a person’s functioning.

Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed by a physician after careful evaluation of the patient’s condition and a full medical exam. There is no specific medical test that can be used to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, a doctor will perform brain tests to determine abnormalities that may indicate Parkinson’s disease. Others may begin treating the patient for Parkinson’s disease and see if they respond to treatment. Researchers believe that Parkinson’s disease is largely undetected in our population, with as many as 20 people affected for every one diagnosed with the condition.

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are some medications and other treatments that many improve one’s condition. Levodopa is a drug that nerve cells can use to make dopamine, the neurotransmitter which is depleted in Parkinson’s disease patients. This drug is most effective in treating slow movement and rigidity, and seems to benefit three out of four patients. Anticholinergic drugs are often effective in treating tremor and rigidity. Certain drugs like bromocrptine, pergolide, pramipexole, and ropinirole mimic dopamine in the brain and may work to reduce symptoms. The antiviral drug amantadine also works to relieve symptoms.

Surgery may also treat patients with Parkinson’s disease. An FDA-approved treatment called deep brain stimulation can alleviate symptoms and reduce the need for medications. This procedure must be performed precisely as intended to achieve the desired effects.