Parkinson’s disease

What is Parkinson Disease ?
Parkinson's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the nervous system, meaning it becomes increasingly disabling over time. People with Parkinson's disease have rigid muscles, sluggish movements, and tremors (shaking). Parkinson's disease is chronic, meaning it is a life-long condition.

Causes of Parkinson Disease
There is an area deep in the brain called the basal ganglia. Nerve cells in the basal ganglia are responsible for smooth movements and coordinating changes in posture. When the brain initiates a movement, the basal ganglia sends signals and transmits messages using chemical neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are like electrical impulses sent over electrical wires, but in this case these electrical impulses are sent along nerve pathways within the brain. The main neurotransmitter for the basal ganglia is dopamine. No one is exactly sure why, but Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the basal ganglia begin to die. When this happens, the amount of dopamine produced is lowered, and the signals that control muscle movement are weak or lost. The patient slowly loses the ability to control the initiation, speed, and smoothness of his or her movements.

Symptoms of Parkinson Disease
The disease begins with very subtle signs. The patient may notice a slight shaking, called tremor, in his or her hand when it is at rest. He or she may rub the thumb and forefinger together repeatedly, as though rolling a small object between them.

The slowed movement that is a symptom of Parkinson's disease is called bradykinesia. The patient may also freeze in the middle of a movement, called akinesia. People with Parkinson's may have difficulty writing, speaking, changing positions, and maitaining balance.

Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease
He or she will check for the physical signs Parkinson's, including tremor, rigid muscles, and slow movements. While there is no specific diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease, there are some tests your doctor may perform to rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. These might include brain scans, blood tests, a lumbar puncture to check spinal fluid for signs of bacterial infections, and x-rays.

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