According to the statistics published by the Parkinson's disease Foundation of the United States of America, more than one million Americans suffer with Parkinson's disease. This number is far greater than combined figures for other nervous disorders such as multiple sclerosis and various types of muscular dystrophy. Adding to this is a figure of 60000 new cases every year in American alone. If unreported cases are taken into account, this figure can go up by a couple to hundred thousands more. Taking a worldwide perspective it is estimated that seven to ten million people are suffering from this ailment.
Also known as shaking palsy or Paralysis agitans, Parkinson's disease is a nervous disorder affecting the brain. It results in loss of muscle control. Experiencing tremors causes problems during day to day activities such as walking, and any other type of movement that requires co-ordination with the brain. Maximum number of patients comprise of elderly citizens who have crossed a threshold of 50 years of age. However, there have been significant numbers of younger cases getting affected by this ailment.
Cause of Parkinson's disease
The primary cause of Parkinson's disease is gradual death of cells responsible for secretion of a chemical named dopamine. It is responsible for controlling movement of muscles in human body. In absence of dopamine, the transmission of messages gets affected, resulting in loss of control.
While Ageing is the prime natural cause, there may be secondary causes as well. Secondary causes include consumption of certain substances that lead to erosion of dopamine from nerve cells. It is generally heavy intake of toxic substances like alcohol and other drugs.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease The common symptoms include:
- Loss of reflex actions
- Weakened senses and loss of muscle control
- Impaired balance while walking
- Problems in movement along with inability to exhibit fine hand movements
Other than this, shaking and tremors are a common phenomenon for a patient. he may also be subjected to physical and mental disability at an very advanced state of Parkinson's disease
Treatment of Parkinson's disease
Like other nervous disorders and ailments, Parkinson's disease also does not have a cure. All the currently available treatments revolve around controlling the tremors and help is regaining muscle control. This would not heal the patient but will at least ensure that he is able to perform day to day activities. In case one is diagnosed with this disease, physicians advise the following modification in one's existing lifestyle. They may be able to prolong the repression period. The changes are enlisted as under:
- Following a healthy lifestyle, ensuring intake of nutritional food and fluids.
- Ensuring proper amount of rest and sleep
- Avoiding loud sounds as they may disturb the transmission of messages
- Complete abstinence from the consumption of alcoholic substances
- Avoiding any level of strenuous activities, especially the one requiring great amount of coordination.
By the use of medicines artificially dopamine levels can be restored however it may be short lived since a body requires continuous supply of this chemical for smooth muscle movement and control. In severe cases, when the body has stopped responding to medicines then doctors opt for surgeries.
Such a surgery is called the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. During an operation, electrodes are implanted into the brain. They can be triggered by an external electrical pulse generator. Once a patient feels the need to ‘jumpstart' his system or lack of control in the muscles, he needs to trigger the electromagnetic pulse which restores control in muscles and ensures proper transmission of messages. Such surgeries are gaining popularity these days.
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Although there is no sure-shot treatment of Parkinson's disease, patients are advised to use Azilect. This helps in regaining control over muscles. It has also proved to be effective in countering muscle spasm. |
