Mental Health: What is Parkinson's Disease ... - Diet and Fitness

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a brain disorder that causes a gradual loss of muscle control. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease tend to be mild initially and can sometimes go unnoticed. Typical signs include tremors, stiffness, slowed body movements, and poor balance. Parkinson's was originally called a "shaking palsy" but not everyone with Parkinson's has a tremor.

The father of Parkinson's disease, James Parkinson defined Parkinson disease in his most notable medical publication in 1817, An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. It says, ?Involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in part not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forward, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellect being uninjured.?

Progression of the Parkinson's disease
While Parkinson's can be a frightening diagnosis, life expectancy does not change particularly with better care and prompt treatment. Symptoms of the disease progress slowly over 10 to 20 years but an early treatment can allow patients to live a normal life and maintain their job. Worldwide 7 million to 10 million people suffer from Parkinson's disease. We see young patients with PD in India as compared to the west.

Early Signs of this Parkinson's disease
It may be subtle and can be confused with other conditions. They include:

??? ?Tremor - It is an early symptom and is seen in about 70 per cent of patients. Usually occurs in a finger or hand when the hand is at rest, when patient is walking or watching TV, but not when the hand is in use. Hands and fingers shake as if rolling a pill between the thumb and index finger, mild shaking of a finger, hand, leg, or lip.

??? ?Bradykinesia - Bradykinesia in PD patients mean slow movement which impairs daily activities. They tend to take small steps. They may suddenly stop particularly near doors or in crowded places. Their body does not respond to commands right away. The PD patients blink less and have mask like face and have a soft voice or slurred speech frozen shoulder.

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??? ?Impaired Balance - These patients have difficulty in turning swiftly. They tend to develop a stooped posture, with drooping shoulders and their head jutted forward. They may have a problem with balance. This increases the risk of falling. They tend to run in small steps forward stiffness or difficulty walking.

??? ?Rigidity - Rigidity means stiff muscles which don't relax. It is difficult to move patients arms and legs passively, there is some resistance. Due to rigidity the arms may not swing when a person is walking. There may be cramping or pain in the muscles

??? ?Non motor symptoms ? PD patients will occasionally suffer from night terrors, restless sleep, daytime fatigue, constipation, increase tendency to pass urine particularly in night, difficulty swallowing, memory problems, confusion, or dementia, oily skin and dandruff.

Various strategies in treatment of Parkinson's disease
Multidisciplinary approach, medical surgery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy to modify home, support group to increase awareness, speech therapy.

Can we prevent Parkinson's disease?
Various researchers have been trying to prevent PD or halt progression of disease, but it is too soon to tell whether this works. Coffee drinkers and smokers may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's (although smoking obviously has other serious health consequences).

Parkinson's disease and Exercise???
Exercise may actually have a protective effect by enabling the brain to use dopamine more effectively. It also helps improve motor coordination, balance, gait, and tremor. It releases nerve growth factor which may play key role in PD brains. Working out on a treadmill or biking have been shown to have a benefit. Tai chi and yoga may help with balance and flexibility.

*Data courtesy: Dr. Charulata Sankhla, Consultant Neurophysician, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai

*Image Courtesy: medicineweekly and? Thinkstock/Getty images

Reference

UBC

Source: http://healthmeup.com/news-healthy-living/mental-health-what-is-parkinsons-disease/21495

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