What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from the destruction of dopamine-producing cells in the midbrain area. Dopamine is a chemical that helps the brain communicate with the muscles of the body. In patients with Parkinson’s, chemical changes in an area of the brain known as the ‘substantia nigra affect the ability of those cells to produce dopamine, affecting the ability of the brain to communicate with the muscles. The symptoms of Parkinson’s generally appear when 80% of those cells are dead.

The disease is progressive and degenerative, which means that the symptoms will get worse as the disease takes more and more of those important cells. In addition to those changes, scientists have also noted that there are changes in other parts of the brain’s communication system. Those changes include changes to the areas of the brain that control the emotions, sensory processes and maternal instincts. So far, scientists aren't certain if those changes are caused directly by Parkinson’s, or if they're an effect of the loss of dopamine and the changes in the way that the brain communicates with the body.

Parkinson’s was first officially described by the British physician, Dr. James Parkinson, for whom it is named. In his Essay on the Shaking Palsy, he described a condition whose symptoms were

Involuntary tremolous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forewards, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellect being uninjured.

The essay went on to detail the types of tremors and associated symptoms that he'd seen in his practice. In the 1850s, Jean-Martin Charcot added ‘rigidity’ to Parkinson’s list of symptoms and first named it as ‘Parkinson’s Disease’. Parkinson’s original description is remarkably accurate, and remains the basis for the modern diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s usually starts innocuously. A person may notice that one hand, leg, foot or arm suddenly starts trembling while they're resting, and they can't stop it. Most patients ignore the earliest signs, believing them to be transitory. Eventually, the trembling spreads from the one limb to the other limb on the same side and the trembling becomes more frequent and pronounced.

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be frightening and overwhelming. Parkinson’s is incurable, and even the best treatments are aimed at making it easier for patients to live with the disease. As of this writing, there are no treatments that halt or slow the progress of Parkinson’s, though many of them can ease the worst of the symptoms. In addition, many patients with Parkinson’s benefit from treatment for depression and from counseling.

If you’re facing a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, there are a number of important things to keep in mind:

1. Misdiagnoses of Parkinson’s Disease are common. There are several related or similar conditions that cause similar symptoms. It’s very difficult to tell the difference between them in the early stages.
2. Every case of Parkinson’s is different. Unlike some diseases and conditions that follow a relatively common timetable and progress, the experiences of Parkinson’s patients vary widely. It may be years before the symptoms of Parkinson’s worsen to the point of affecting your daily life.
3. There is research being done everyday. Every day brings the possibility of a breakthrough that may make all the difference in the progress of your disease.
4. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are many treatments that will lessen the effect that the disease has on your life. Communicating with your doctor and keeping him informed of any changes can help him recommend the best treatments for you.





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