Effects of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects structures like the substantia nigra and the striatum. It usually also compromise the cerebral cortex, limbic system and hypothalamus. It has an unknown origin, recognizing multiple factors in its appearance with a strong genetic component, whose importance may vary in different situations. PD is a chronic, progressive and slow disease, which affects the brain area responsible for movement control and coordination, muscle tone and posture. In this area, called the substantia nigra, there is a chemical, dopamine, compounds essential for the regulation of movements, that is movements to take place. Thus, EP is a "degeneration" of the substantia nigra (cause unknown) whose consequence is the decrease in dopamine. That is why the main manifestations of the disease express a poor control of movements: tremor, generalized slowness, rigidity and altered posture and gait (Beth, p. P.8).

Parkinson described the disease that bears his name as "shaking palsy", indicating the most prominent symptoms: decreased movement (paralysis) and "agitation" (tremor). It appears between 40 and 70 years of age, with a higher incidence in the decade of 60. There is a "Benign familial tremor", which changes very slowly and is often present in members of one family. Some authors believe it is a benign form of Parkinson's disease, but treatment is radically different. If it is very annoying, it is best to leave it untreated. A known feature of this tremor is its disappearance with small doses of alcohol, which is dangerous. The adrenaline-blocking drugs, which are also used in treating hypertension and angina pectoris, are the best alternatives.

Parkinson's disease was first described by English physician and paleontologist James Parkinson in 1817 and its definition still holds today: "tremulous involuntary movements of nature, with decreased muscle strength involving parties that are at rest and even cause a tendency to tilt the body forward as a way to walk short, quick steps. The senses and intellect remain unchanged. “Although, there is currently no cure for the disease, there are new insights into the factors that can cause disease, including genetic and environmental factors.

Causes

Although, the cause may be indefinite in some cases, research has found that in patients with Parkinson's disease, there is a chemical imbalance resulting from the loss of certain brain cells. Recent research has found some relation to the exposure of chemicals at an early age. In some patients, the problem is inherited, but if the patient is not exposed to toxic substances, the disease may become manifest (Beth, p. P.8).

Some authors have found greater incidence of movement disorder, among persons who consume rural well water, which is assumed to be contaminated with agrochemicals. It was discovered that the drug can lead to Parkinson's.

Possible Etiology and Patho Physiology of the disease

Primary parkinsonism: There is a loss of pigmented neurons in the substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and other dopaminergic cell groups of the brainstem. The loss of neurons in the substantia nigra that project to the caudate nucleus and putamen ...