PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease

Introduction

Parkinson's disease - a chronic disease that is characteristic for those older age groups. Caused by progressive destruction and loss of neurons in the black substance of the midbrain and other parts of the central nervous system, using as the neurotransmitter dopamine. For Parkinson's disease is characterized by movement disorders: tremor, hypokinesia, muscle rigidity (a sharp increase in muscle tone and resistance to deformation), postural instability (difficulty maintaining body position operedelennogo), as well as autonomic and mental disorders, which are caused by decreased inhibitory effect of the pale ball (Pallidum), located in the anterior part of the brain in his striped body. Pallidum damage leads to the "inhibition of inhibition" of the peripheral motor neurons. There are currently incurable, but the existing methods of conservative and surgical treatment can significantly improve the quality of life of patients (Katzenschlager, 2004).

Four significant concepts of Parkinson Disease

The four most important and significant concepts of Parkinson disease are tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability.

Those with PD disease experience a number of affects including rigidity (an increased resistance to passive movement), tremors, inability to speak, immobility of the face, and bradykinesia which is described as a slowness of voluntary movements such as the swinging of arms while walking (Mcphee, J Stephen). People left with a definite disability of not functioning normally and the inability to perform undemanding tasks.

Diagnosing PD is comparatively uncomplicated. Doctors run a series of procedures on patients testing muscles for rigidity, tremors, voluntary movement and the ability to stand straight. Another more enthralling test involves the use of a positron emission tomography test to examine dopamine uptake levels in the midbrain. Low levels of dopamine in the basal ganglia of the midbrain can indicate “Degeneration of substantial ingrain” (Sommers, Marilyn Sawyer)

There are several types of treatment for Parkinson. ...