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... it is inherited, but this statement is false in most cases. Scientists believe that it is most likely caused from Environmental and Dietary Factors. Symptoms of Parkinsons can occur as a result of head injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, or poisoning by medical drugs (Hawaleshka, 2002).
There are many symptoms that occur in Parkinsons Disease, but most patients do not experience a full range of symptoms. One symptom, Rigidity, is an expanding tone of stiffness of the muscles. This symptom is always present unless eased by anti-Parkinsons medication. When a patient moves with this symptom, it increases and leads to pain in the arms and soldiers. Secondly, Tremor, when present, could be worse on one side of the body than the other.
It not only effects the limbs but sometimes the head, neck, face, and jaw. Next, Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, is shown by a delay in starting movements. This is caused by the brains slowness in transmitting instructions to appropriate sections of the body. Last but not least, walking problems include a decreased or no arm swing at all, short, shuffling steps, difficulty in directing turns, and sudden freezing spells (Lachs, 2002). Secondary symptoms of Parkinsons Disease include depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and sexual function (web 1999).
The actual cause of PD in not known. As stated by Parkinsons Disease Foundation, (1999), Although a defective gene was recently found in a few families with extraordinarily high incidences of PD, most researchers believe that in the vast majority of cases, genetic factors alone are not responsible for causing the disease. There is no cure for Parkinsons, but there are ways to slow the progression of this disease. One medication, Levodopa, is a substance that is transformed into dopamine by the brain. Unfortunately, patients on this drug experience side effects such as severe nausea and vomiting. Next, Symmetrel, which was originally an anti-flu medication, works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine or by increasing the release of dopamine by neurons.
Also, Anticholinergics act to decrease the activity of the balancing neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. It is most effective in the control of tremor, but it tends to cause confusion and hallucination in certain older patients. Lastly, scientists in the UK have developed a treatment that appears to reverse brain deterioration in people with PD. Though the long term value of this treatment has not been demonstrated, scientists at French Hospital in Bristol think that it may form the foundation of an effective therapy within four to five years (Chemistry and Industry, 2002).
Medication is not the only treatment for Parkinsons disease. There are also surgical interventions. Surgery has been used to interrupt the damaged connections in the brain caused by PD, usually in the areas of the brain called the globus pallidum or the thalamus (Lachs, 2002). Pallidotomy, in the past few years, has gained new popularity because of the magnetic imaging that now allows it to be performed with much greater precision.
It is indicated for patients who have developed dys kinetic movements in reaction to their medications. First, it targets the source of unwanted movements and uses an electrode to destroy the disturbing cells. On the downside, there are the risks of stroke, loss of vision, speech and swallowing difficulties, and confusion with this procedure. Brain tissue transplants are still in the experimental stage. Scientists are now working with genetically engineered cells and a variety of animal cells that can be made to produce dopamine. Last, Deep brain stimulation tries to stop uncontrollable movements.
Electrodes are implanted in the thalamus and connected to a pacemaker like device. The patient can switch on or off as the symptoms impose (web 1999). Treating Parkinsons disease in not just the doctors job and responsibility. The patient has just as much control of staying healthy for a longer period as the doctor does. For people with PD, daily exercise are key for keeping and improving mobility, flexibility, balance, ranges of motion, and helping in secondary symptoms.
Support groups also play key roles with the emotional well being of patients as well as their families. To me, it seems like they would provide a caring environment for asking questions and laughing with one another. A patient could make many new friends with others that understand eachother's problems. People with Parkinsons disease should also always stay active.
It seems that PD advances more slowly in people who are involved in activities to amuse and engage their interest. The question of what has caused the destruction of the dopamine-producing cells has puzzled researchers for years. Now, though, a theory has now come about that oxidative stress and metal toxicity cause the disease. The idea that oxidative stress, or an excess of free radicals in the body that can cause disease, was first brought forward in 1983 (Larsen, 2002). As proposed by Professors Halliwell and Jenner of Kings College, (1994), Neurodegenerative diseases and Parkinsons Disease in particular were result of oxidative stress. Scientist believe that dietary factors, environmental status, and style of living all have a large part on whether or not a person gets Parkinsons disease.
Scientist also believe that it is becoming more clear that Vitamin C and E may be an excellent protector against PD and can materially help in slowing down the progress of the disease, and PD may develop later in life as a result of a neurotoxic events that occurred at an early stage. Scientists also believe that drinking moderate amounts of coffee may protect people from PD (Vernarec, 2002). Recent research in Iceland, which has a very high occurrence of Parkinsons disease, has shown that children born during or after a whooping cough epidemic are vulnerable to PD later in life. In Parkinsons Disease: Is Victory in Sight? Larsen, (2000), says, Numerous studies have shown that PD victims have low levels of natural antioxidants and high levels of iron in the substantia nigra areas of their brain. Other metals such as manganese, cadmium, copper, and mercury have also shown to be factors in the development of PD.
People who live in areas where aluminium content of the drinking water is high have an excessive risk, as well as occupational exposure to pesticides has been linked to a much larger risk of getting PD. Diet is also a very important factor in Parkinsons disease. Researchers at the University of Magdeburg in Germany reported that people with a high intake of sugar increase their risk of getting PD by a factor of three as compared if you have a normal intake. The same study showed that diets high in vitamin C and beta-carotene provide important protection.
American researchers have made the conclusion that a high intake of animal fats is associated with a five-fold increase in the risk of developing PD (Larsen, 2000). Recently, researchers at the University of Hawaii reported that people with a high blood level of the natural antioxidant uric acid have lower risks of developing PD than do people with lower levels. Antioxidants also slow the progression of existing Parkinsons disease. This was shown in 1991 in a pilot study carried out by Dr. Stanley Fan of Columbia University. Dr.
Fan saw that PD patients given large doses of oral vitamin C and synthetic vitamin E supplements delayed the progression of their disease to a point where they needed I-dopa 2. 5 years later than a group of patients who were not taking supplements. Australian researchers have found that broad beans are a very good source or I-dopa and can, in some cases, actually replace it. A 100 -g serving provides about 250 mg of I-dopa as well as a significant amount of proanthocyanidins. Another conclusion that scientist have made is that stress heightens PD and relaxation therapy has been found useful in the treatment of this disease. The finding that Parkinsons disease is most likely caused by oxidative stress aggravated by metal toxicity is a huge step in understanding this disease, and some day overcoming the disease. Scientists have actually gotten even closer with the development of a new treatment.
It involves putting a hormone called glial derived neurotrophic factor, which is required for maintenance of nerve cell growth in damaged parts of the brain. So far, five patients have been treated using this method, and the drug was found to work within a few months, but previous trials have had some disastrous results. A recent study was taken by the Nurses Health Study having to do with coffee intake. Among the 88, 565 women in the study, 131 cases of PD were diagnosed over a 16 -year period. The risk of disease was about 40 % lower among women drinking one to three cups of coffee per day as compared to those drinking four or more or not at all. This shows that caffeine may reduce the risk of this neurological disease.
Bibliography: Andrea, (1999). Parkinsons Disease Foundation home page. [Online]. Available web [Accessed Sept 4, 2002 ]. Larsen, R. H. , (2000). Parkinsons Disease: Is Victory In Sight?
home page [Online-Article]. Available web [Accessed Sept 3, 2002 ]. William J. Weiner, (2000). Parkinsons Disease.
World Book Online Americas Edition, [Online]. Available web [Accessed Oct 28, 2002 ]. Hawaleshka, D. , (2002). Maclean's, Clusters of Parkinsons.
pg. 50 [Article]. Vernarec, E. , (2002). RN, Caffeine may protect women against PD. Pg. 21 Lachs, M, S. , (2002). Prevention, Slowing down Parkinsons: pg. 167 Magills Medical Guide. Health & Illness, vol.
Salem Press Inc. California, 1995. Pg. 608 - 612. Abstract: Parkinson's disease affects the nervous system of the human body in a way that limits a person's ability to control some of his or her muscles. It is caused by a slow, gradual loss of cells in the brain that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is ultimately necessary for muscles to function normally.
In many people, this disease causes a slight, involuntary shaking of the arms and legs, called tremors. At times, muscles may feel somewhat stiff and rigid, and the patient may have difficulty moving his or her arms and legs or will only be able to move them slowly. Eventually, walking may become a slow process of taking small steps, which is called a shuffling gait. Early stages of Parkinsons consist of shaking of the hands, arms, legs or feet while resting. Shaking is often the symptom that prompts a visit to the doctors.
Shaking may only be noticeable on one side of the persons body and it may affect hands more then the feet. In addition to shaking, slow movement or a brief, temporary delay in movement. A person in early stages of Parkinsons may experience difficulty in maintaining balance. This occurs sometimes when a person is changing positions. Another effect of early Parkinsons is rigidity and stiffness of the limbs; This affects some persons walking capability such as slow, short-stepped walks that occurs during the early and sometimes later stages of Parkinsons.
Advanced stages of Parkinsons disease consist of facial masking and this is facial muscles tighten and things such as blinking can become difficult. Also, a person in advanced stages of Parkinsons will have difficulty with their speech. This may be noticed, for example, when the person pronounces two or words together as one word or slurs words. His or her voice may also be softer than before. Speaking in a softer voice or slurring of words may be noticeable or only slightly obvious. In addition to facial masking and speech difficulty, difficulty swallowing is another symptom of advanced Parkinsons disease.
Difficulty swallowing can happen if the person has less control over the muscles in the back of his or her throat. Severe difficulty swallowing is rare in later stages of Parkinsons. Parkinsons disease has a major effect on a persons lifestyle and changes a persons life forever. During the early stages of Parkinson's disease, most patients experience only minor symptoms. Many people continue to work or participate in other activities, but they may become self-conscious about their symptoms. As the disease progresses and its symptoms become more noticeable, however, you may be forced to work fewer hours and to cut back on your level of activities.
Simple tasks become more of a challenge, and you may need some help from family and friends. Since the symptoms of Parkinson's disease may appear only at certain times of the day, it is important to plan activities ahead of time so that you will not feel pressured to "hurry up and get ready. "In the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, you may find that using a wheelchair helps you move around more easily, and you may need some help with daily activities. Some patients get help from part-time healthcare professionals who visit their homes every day. Others get the help they need by living in an assisted living centre or other community living facility.
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Research essay sample on Arms And Legs Parkinsons Disease
