History Of Parkinson's Disease part 2 Essay - 4,268 words

... it is inherited, but this statement is false in most cases. Scientists believe that it is most likely caused from Environmental and Dietary Factors. Symptoms of Parkinsons can occur as a result of head injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, or poisoning by medical drugs (Hawaleshka, 2002). There are many symptoms that occur in Parkinsons Disease, but most patients do not experience a full range of symptoms. One symptom, Rigidity, is an expanding tone of stiffness of the muscles.


This symptom is always present unless eased by anti-Parkinsons medication. When a patient moves with this symptom, it increases and leads to pain in the arms and soldiers. Secondly, Tremor, when present, could be worse on one side of the body than the other. It not only effects the limbs but sometimes the head, neck, face, and jaw. Next, Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, is shown by a delay in starting movements. This is caused by the brains slowness in transmitting instructions to appropriate sections of the body.


Last but not least, walking problems include a decreased or no arm swing at all, short, shuffling steps, difficulty in directing turns, and sudden freezing spells (Lachs, 2002). Secondary symptoms of Parkinsons Disease include depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and sexual function (www.pdf.org, 1999). The actual cause of PD in not known. As stated by Parkinsons Disease Foundation, (1999), Although a defective gene was recently found in a few families with extraordinarily high incidences of PD, most researchers believe that in the vast majority of cases, genetic factors alone are not responsible for causing the disease. There is no cure for Parkinsons, but there are ways to slow the progression of this disease. One medication, Levodopa, is a substance that is transformed into dopamine by the brain. Unfortunately, patients on this drug experience side effects such as severe nausea and vomiting. Next, Symmetrel, which was originally an anti-flu medication, works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine or by increasing the release of dopamine by neurons.


Also, Anticholinergics act to decrease the activity of the balancing neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. It is most effective in the control of tremor, but it tends to cause confusion and hallucination in certain older patients. Lastly, scientists in the UK have developed a treatment that appears to reverse brain deterioration in people with PD. Though the long term value of this treatment has not been demonstrated, scientists at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol think that it may form the foundation of an effective therapy within four to five years (Chemistry and Industry, 2002). Medication is not the only treatment for Parkinsons disease. There are also surgical interventions. Surgery has been used to interrupt the damaged connections in the brain caused by PD, usually in the areas of the brain called the globus pallidus or the thalamus (Lachs, 2002). Pallidotomy, in the past few years, has gained new popularity because of the magnetic imaging that now allows it to be performed with much greater precision.


It is indicated for patients who have developed dyskinetic movemets in reaction to their medications. First, it targets the source of unwanted movements and uses an electrode to destroy the disturbing cells. On the downside, there are the risks of stroke, loss of vision, speech and swallowing difficulties, and confusion with this procedure. Brain tissue transplants are still in the experimental stage. Scientists are now working with genetically engineered cells and a variety of animal cells that can be made to produce dopamine. Last, Deep brain stimulation tries to stop uncontrollable movements.


Electrodes are implanted in the thalamus and connected to a pacemaker like device. The patient can switch on or off as the symptoms impose (www.pdf.org/aboutdisease/overview/treatments.html , 1999). Treating Parkinsons disease in not just the doctors job and responsibility. The patient has just as much control of staying healthy for a longer period as the doctor does. For people with PD, daily exercise are key for keeping and improving mobility, flexibility, balance, ranges of motion, and helping in secondary symptoms. Support groups also play key roles with the emotional well being of patients as well as their families. To me, it seems like they would provide a caring environment for asking questions and laughing with one another.


A patient could make many new friends with others that understand eachothers problems. People with Parkinsons disease should also always stay active. It seems that PD advances more slowly in people who are involved in activities to amuse and engage their interest. The question of what has caused the destruction of the dopamine-producing cells has puzzled researchers for years. Now, though, a theory has now come about that oxidative stress and metal toxicity cause the disease. The idea that oxidative stress, or an excess of free radicals in the body that can cause disease, was first brought forward in 1983 (Larsen, 2002).


As proposed by Professors Halliwell and Jenner of Kings College, (1994), Neurodegenerative diseases and Parkinsons Disease in particular were result of oxidative stress. Scientist believe that dietary factors, environmental status, and style of living all have a large part on whether or not a person gets Parkinsons disease. Scientist also believe that it is becoming more clear that Vitamin C and E may be an excellent protector against PD and can materially help in slowing down the progress of the disease, and PD may develop later in life as a result of a neurotoxic events that occurred at an early stage. Scientists also believe that drinking moderate amounts of coffee may protect people from PD (Vernarec, 2002). Recent research in Iceland, which has a very high occurrence of Parkinsons disease, has shown that children born during or after a whooping cough epidemic are vulnerable to PD later in life. In Parkinsons Disease: Is Victory in Sight? Larsen, (2000), says, Numerous studies have shown that PD victims have low levels of natural antioxidants and high levels of iron in the substantia nigra areas of their brain. Other metals such as manganese, cadmium, copper, and mercury have also shown to be factors in the development of PD. People who live in areas where aluminium content of the drinking water is high have an excessive risk, as well as occupational exposure to pesticides has been linked to a much lar ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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