Parkinsonism is the neurological disorder that develops from Parkinson’s Disease. There is no cure for Parkinsonism, nor is there a definitive cause. This is because there are several types of Parkinison Diseaseone is even genetic and is a birth defect due to the X link chromosome. Most commonly, it is due to the debilitation of the nervous system that can be caused from certain toxins, or from a disease, such as Aids, as well as a secondary side effect of certain medications. The most common set of medications that can lead to Parkinson Disease are the set of medications known as antipsychotics. Symptoms are seen between the ages of forty to sixty years of age and are crippling, debilitating and eventually, fatal. Parkinson patients are easily identified in latter stages by their stilted, jerking movements while walking as well as by the fine tremors in their hands.
Treatment is with medications known as antiparkinson medications. The most commonly known is called Levodopa. This medication must be monitored with lab values to make sure that the blood level remains stable as well as making sure there are as few effects on the body’s organs.
Levodopa is effective to help combat the effects of Parkinson’s disease because it replaces the dopamine in the brain that is erased due to the disease itself. The hand in hand medication used with Levodopa is carbidopa. This medication prevents the Levodopa from being used by the body until it reaches the brain itself, exactly where it will be the best use.
Levodopa and Carbidopa help decrease the body's rigidity, enabling walking and large muscle movements to be closer to normal. However, fine motor function may not be affected at all, so hand tremors remain as well as twitching around the mouth and face.
Unfortunately, the worst side effect to these medications is dyskenesia. Dyskenesia is involuntary movements of muscles, so in a way it is as if the Parkinsonism has worsened, whereas it may well be a side effect of the medication itself. It takes a neurologist specializing in Parkinson disease to walk the tight rope of medications and level of dopamine in the patient’s brain. Be sure to keep a journal of daily signs and symptoms and see your physician regularly.
The most debilitating of Parkinson's symptoms occurs along the central motor system. Eventually disabling all motor function from walking to eating, even breathing and communication.
It is no wonder that depression and psychomotor occurrences come hand in hand with the beginning of diagnosis of this disease. It is mentally and emotionally wearing to have your body betray you with uncontrollable movements, yet leave your brain function intact and bar your ability to communicate with others.
There are four main signs and symptoms associated with Parkinsonism. These four are tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness of arms and legs and poor balance. Even with that, as simple as it sounds, Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose, cannot be done by simple lab tests and depends largely on medical diagnosis, neurological exam and at times a cat scan of the brain. At present, there is not a lab value that effectively reports the amount of dopamine in the brain cells
As noted earlier, the best thing is to find a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson Disease patients, see that physician regularly and remain on the treatment regimen as prescribed. Keep your physician and his or her nurse aware of all changes or difficulties with medications, have someone keep a journal accounting all of your days activities and signs to report to the physician.
Signs to report to the physician include worsening of symptoms such as increased tremors, falls, and difficulty speaking or swallowing and choking. Choking can cause food or fluid to become lodged in the lungs, where infection will become an emergency within a short amount of time.
Therapy from both physical and occupational therapists often assist patients by improving their muscle tone, strength and balance which in turn will help keep the Parkinson patient as safe as possible. Your physician can order therapy in your home or as an outpatient basis.
Parkinson’s Disease is not forgiving, it is a gradually debilitating condition that will take its toll on both the patient and his or her family. It is best to set up a strong defense and make best use of all resources at your disposal
barbara bethard
Treatment is with medications known as antiparkinson medications. The most commonly known is called Levodopa. This medication must be monitored with lab values to make sure that the blood level remains stable as well as making sure there are as few effects on the body’s organs.
Levodopa is effective to help combat the effects of Parkinson’s disease because it replaces the dopamine in the brain that is erased due to the disease itself. The hand in hand medication used with Levodopa is carbidopa. This medication prevents the Levodopa from being used by the body until it reaches the brain itself, exactly where it will be the best use.
Levodopa and Carbidopa help decrease the body's rigidity, enabling walking and large muscle movements to be closer to normal. However, fine motor function may not be affected at all, so hand tremors remain as well as twitching around the mouth and face.
Unfortunately, the worst side effect to these medications is dyskenesia. Dyskenesia is involuntary movements of muscles, so in a way it is as if the Parkinsonism has worsened, whereas it may well be a side effect of the medication itself. It takes a neurologist specializing in Parkinson disease to walk the tight rope of medications and level of dopamine in the patient’s brain. Be sure to keep a journal of daily signs and symptoms and see your physician regularly.
The most debilitating of Parkinson's symptoms occurs along the central motor system. Eventually disabling all motor function from walking to eating, even breathing and communication.
It is no wonder that depression and psychomotor occurrences come hand in hand with the beginning of diagnosis of this disease. It is mentally and emotionally wearing to have your body betray you with uncontrollable movements, yet leave your brain function intact and bar your ability to communicate with others.
There are four main signs and symptoms associated with Parkinsonism. These four are tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness of arms and legs and poor balance. Even with that, as simple as it sounds, Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose, cannot be done by simple lab tests and depends largely on medical diagnosis, neurological exam and at times a cat scan of the brain. At present, there is not a lab value that effectively reports the amount of dopamine in the brain cells
As noted earlier, the best thing is to find a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson Disease patients, see that physician regularly and remain on the treatment regimen as prescribed. Keep your physician and his or her nurse aware of all changes or difficulties with medications, have someone keep a journal accounting all of your days activities and signs to report to the physician.
Signs to report to the physician include worsening of symptoms such as increased tremors, falls, and difficulty speaking or swallowing and choking. Choking can cause food or fluid to become lodged in the lungs, where infection will become an emergency within a short amount of time.
Therapy from both physical and occupational therapists often assist patients by improving their muscle tone, strength and balance which in turn will help keep the Parkinson patient as safe as possible. Your physician can order therapy in your home or as an outpatient basis.
Parkinson’s Disease is not forgiving, it is a gradually debilitating condition that will take its toll on both the patient and his or her family. It is best to set up a strong defense and make best use of all resources at your disposal
barbara bethard
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