Step-by-Step Description of How Parkinson's Disease Occurs

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrolled body movements. Parkinson's disease symptoms may be mild at first and worsen as the disease progresses. It is more commonly seen in individuals over sixty and more men are affected than women.

Causes and Onset

• The human brain uses a chemical called dopamine as a messenger. Dopamine communicates between parts of the brain responsible for coordination and movement. In patients with Parkinson's disease, their dopamine producing cells have started to die off. Eventually, as dopamine production diminishes, there are fewer and fewer transmitters and the first signs of Parkinson's disease appear.
  Initially, symptoms appear in one side of the body. A person's hand may start to tremble unsteadily, or he may rub his thumb and pointer finger together without realizing it. Sometimes tremors will start in his leg, or he may not have any tremors. As Parkinson's progresses, it becomes harder to keep a firm hold on objects and overall movement slows down. This slowing down is called bradykinesia. Even simple activities such as teeth brushing and personal hygiene can take hours. It becomes harder to lift feet up and swing them forward to walk, and it may feel as if feet are glued to the floor.

Progression

• As Parkinson's disease progresses, voluntary movements become harder to carry out. Tremors may spread to other limbs and the face. Trembling and with time, muscle rigidity negatively affects balance and coordination. Eventually, Parkinson's disease affects movements we do every day without thinking about it, like blinking and registering facial expressions or emotions. As a Parkinson's patient loses these reflexes and automatic movements, she will seem to have a wooden, fixed stare. Speech becomes more of a struggle, so she may slur or repeat herself and speak in a monotone voice.

Treatment

• If you have noticed any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. Although other conditions may also cause trembling and poor muscle control, early diagnosis is essential. Treatments and medication can help alleviate Parkinson's disease symptoms.
  There are medications that help stimulate dopamine production, such as levodopa. It is taken together with another medication called carbidopa to make sure that it has time to reach the brain. Dosage will vary according to the individual and the severity of the disease. Other medications help reduce the trembling and rigidity present in Parkinson's patients. Your doctor may also recommend visiting a physiotherapist and a nutritionist for recommendations for a healthy diet. Explore all the treatment options that your doctor offers to improve the quality of life if you or a loved one has Parkinson's disease.