What is Parkinson’s? As described by James Parkinson in 1817, Parkinson’s disease is a trembling paralysis, that is, a radiation that leads to trembling and trembling of the hands and feet. It usually appears after the age of 60, but can also be seen in younger age groups. What are the causes? Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the brain that occurs when a chemical called dopamine is depleted. The exact cause of this disease has not yet been discovered, but in some cases, genetic factors and environmental toxins such as pesticides, exposure to chemicals in the air, etc. are held accountable. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include both motor and non-motor parts (Source: Getty Images / Thinkstock) What are the symptoms? Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include both motor and non-motor parts. The motor elements are related to the muscles, leading to stiffness and stiffness in the body, tremor, rhythmic movements of the arms and legs, difficulty walking, repetitive falls and slowness in daily activities. Non-motor signs appear at an advanced stage and lead to behavioral and mental behavioral problems. Some people even experience depression, anxiety and dementia in the later stages. How is the diagnosis made? There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. A clinical examination to determine the cause includes an MRI scan to look for sudden changes in the brain and a DOPA PET test – a specialized scan that measures dopamine levels in the brain’s substantia nigra. Extremely suspicious cases are screened through this scan to see significant changes in dopamine levels that indicate the onset of Parkinson’s disease. What does the treatment include? The treatment for Parkinson’s disease involves a combination of drugs called Levo Dopa, which are made up of dopamine compounds that are converted to dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for controlling body movements. Patients have been observed to respond well to medications. But over time, in some cases, dopamine levels tend to drop even after medication, worsening the condition, making people unresponsive to medication, and leading to fluctuations in body movements. This condition usually occurs after 8-10 years of medication in later stages, in some undesirable cases. Such cases are treated through a deep brain stimulation (DBS). It is like a pacemaker using implanted electrodes and electrical stimulation to treat Parkinson’s disease-related movement disorders. DBS has been shown to be more beneficial in younger people as its effects last for a long time. There is another condition called Parkinson’s plus in which, along with dopamine, other systems in the brain are affected. Patients with such conditions do not respond to either treatment. What does DBS technology mean? DBS is a high-level surgery that has shown some remarkable recovery in patients with Parkinson’s. The cost of the operation is relatively high, but it is considered very effective while providing immediate results even in advanced cases. Another breakthrough in the treatment process is the CT PET imaging which helps to control the existing dopamine levels in the brain. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder, unrelated to the immune system (Source: Getty Images / Thinkstock) Is it a lifelong situation? Unfortunately yes. The condition can not be completely cured, it can only be controlled to make a patient functionally better. How does Parkinson’s relate to the immune system? Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder that is not linked to the immune system. However, regular physical exercise, breathing exercises, good lifestyle habits and a healthy diet help reduce the rate of disease progression. What is the level of awareness in India? Awareness of diagnosis and effective treatment is relatively low in our country, which requires immediate attention. People understand fear and associate it with the disease. Περισσότερα For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and do not miss the latest updates!
