Manifestations of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is an incurable disorder that involves the degeneration of a specific portion of the brain. The disease develops gradually but, in time, a number of characteristic symptoms of the condition manifest themselves. These manifestations include disruptions of motor abilities, neurological abilities and the urinary system.

Aspects

• Parkinson's disease is caused by the destruction or degradation of the dopamine-secreting neurons located in a portion of the midbrain known as the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra is responsible for regulating much of the body's movements, and the most noticeable of Parkinson's disease symptoms involve motor system abnormalities.

Motor Manifestations

• Parkinson's disease is largely characterized by its effect on the motor abilities. These motor symptoms include a marked tremor, particularly in the hands; oddly slowed movements, especially when walking; stiff muscles; loss of balance; and trouble swallowing and/or talking.

Neurological Manifestations

• A number of neurological problems are common with Parkinson's disease. These include a tendency toward severe depression, short-term memory loss, and dementia that may progress into delusions and hallucinations.

Urinary System Manifestations

• In the later stages of Parkinson's disease, individuals may experience all types of extreme urinary system dysfunctions, ranging from severe constipation to incontinence. A number of individuals also experience a strong need to urinate frequently, particularly in the middle of the night, and may have severe sexual problems.

Treatment

• While there is no known cure for Parkinson's disease, there are a number of treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. A variety of medications that work by increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain can help with the motor problems inherent in the condition. Physical therapy can help keep stiff muscles flexible. Deep brain stimulation surgery can help resolve the tremors associated with Parkinson's disease, but carries a number of risks.