Parkinson's disease in HUMAN BODY

 What is  Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that causes involuntary or uncontrolled movements such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty in balance and coordination. 

 Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time.

 As the illness progresses, patients can have difficulty walking and talking. You may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep disorders, depression, memory problems, and fatigue. Virtually everyone may be at risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but some research suggests that the disease affects men more than women. For unknown reasons, research is being conducted to understand the factors that may increase a person's risk.

Parkinson's Disease

Causes of Parkinson's Disease:

The most prominent signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease occur when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, the area of ​​the brain that controls movement, are damaged or die. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce an important brain chemical known as dopamine. When neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, causing disease-related motor problems. Scientists still don't know what causes neurons to die. 

 People with Parkinson's disease also lose nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, a major sympathetic nervous system chemotransmitter that controls many physical functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. Loss of norepinephrine may help explain some of the immovable features of Parkinson's disease. B. Fatigue, irregular blood pressure, decreased food movement through the digestive tract, and a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. 

 Many brain cells in people with Parkinson's disease contain Lewy bodies, an abnormal mass of the protein α-synuclein. Scientists are trying to better understand the relationship between normal and abnormal functioning of α-synuclein and the genetic mutations that affect Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementias. 

α-synuclein

 Some cases of Parkinson's disease appear to be hereditary, and some can be traced back to specific genetic mutations. Genetics is thought to be involved in Parkinson's disease, but in most cases, the disease does not appear to occur in the family. Many researchers now believe that Parkinson's disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including B. Results of exposure to toxins.

  Symptoms of Parkinson's disease:

 Parkinson's disease has four symptoms: 

•  Tremor of hands
•  Arms
•  Legs
•  Chin
•  Head 

 Muscle stiffness that keeps the muscles contracted for a long time 

 Bradykinesia 

 Impairment of  balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls 

 Other symptoms  include: 

•  Depression and other emotional changes 
•  Difficulty in swallowing
•  Chewing
•  Talking 
•  Urine problems
•  constipation 
•  Skin problems 

 Symptoms and rate of progression of Parkinson's disease vary from individual to individual. The initial symptoms of the disease are subtle and gradually appear. For example, a patient may experience a slight tremor or have difficulty getting out of a chair. You may find that you speak too softly or that your handwriting is slow and cramped or looks small. Friends and family may first notice changes in people with early Parkinson's disease. You can see that a person's face lacks facial expressions or animations, or that the person is not moving his arms or legs properly. 

 People with Parkinson's disease often develop Parkinsonian gait. This includes the tendency to lean forward. Perform small and quick steps. Reduce arm swing. You may also have trouble starting or continuing the movement. 

 Symptoms often begin on one side or one side of the body.

 As the disease progresses, it eventually affects both sides. However, the symptoms may still be more severe on one side than on the other.

Arm swing

 The obvious risk is age. Most people with Parkinson's disease develop after age 60, but about 5% to 10% develop before age  50. Inherited, some forms are linked to specific genetic mutations.

People living with Parkinson`s disease should never stop taking levodopa without telling their doctor. Suddenly stopping the drug may have serious side effects, like being unable to move or having difficulty breathing.

 Treatment of Parkinson's Disease:

 The doctor may prescribe other medicines to treat Parkinson`s symptoms, including: 

•  Dopamine agonists stimulate the production of dopamine in the brain 
•  Enzyme inhibitors (e.g., MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors) increase the amount of dopamine by slowing down the enzymes that break down dopamine in the brain 
•  Amantadine to help reduce involuntary movements 
•  Anticholinergic drugs to reduce tremors and muscle rigidity 
•  Deep brain stimulation 

 For people with Parkinson`s disease who do not respond well to medications, the doctor may recommend deep brain stimulation. During a surgical procedure, a doctor implants electrodes into part of the brain and connects them to a small electrical device implanted in the chest. 

The device and electrodes painlessly stimulate specific areas in the brain that control movement in a way that may help stop many of the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson`s, such as tremors, slowness of movement, and rigidity. 

 Other treatments 

 Other treatments that may help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease include: 

•  Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. 
•  A healthy diet to support general well-being 
•  Exercises to strengthen muscles and improve balance, flexibility, and coordination 
•  Massage therapy to relieve tension 
•  Yoga and Tai Chi to increase stretch and flexibility

complications of Parkinson's Disease:

 Parkinson's disease is often associated with these additional problems that may be treatable: 

 Difficulty in thinking. Cognitive impairment (dementia) and thinking disorders may occur. These usually appear late in Parkinson's disease. These cognitive problems are usually not corrected by medication. Depression and emotional changes. Sometimes you get depressed very early on. Treatment of depression can facilitate coping with other challenges of Parkinson's disease. 

 You may also experience other emotional changes, such as anxiety, restlessness, and loss of motivation. Health care providers can provide medicines to treat these symptoms. 

 Restlessness

 Dysphagia. As the disease progresses, dysphagia can occur. If swallowed slowly, saliva may collect in the mouth and hang down. Chewing and eating problems. Late Parkinson's disease affects the muscles of the mouth and makes it difficult to chew. This can lead to choking and malnutrition. Sleep disorders and sleep disorders. People with Parkinson's disease often have sleep problems, such as waking up frequently in the middle of the night, getting up early, and falling asleep during the day. 

 people can also suffer from rapid eye movements, and sleep behavioral disorders, including performing your dreams. Medicines can improve your sleep. 

 Bladder problem. Parkinson's disease can cause bladder problems such as uncontrolled urine and difficulty urinating. constipation. Many people with Parkinson's disease develop constipation primarily because of the slow gastrointestinal tract. The following symptoms may also occur: 

 Changes in blood pressure.

 Due to a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), you may feel dizzy or light-headed when you stand up. Disturbance of smell. You may have a problem with your sense of smell. There may be a problem identifying a particular odor or difference in odor. Malaise. Many people with Parkinson's disease lose energy and experience fatigue, especially later in the day.

 The cause is not always known. pain. Some people with Parkinson's disease feel pain in certain parts of the body or throughout the body. Sexual dysfunction. Some people with Parkinson's disease may notice a decrease in sexual desire or ability.

Prevention of Parkinson's Disease:

 The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, so there is no proven way to prevent it. 

 Several studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. 

 Several other studies have shown that people who consume caffeine in coffee, tea, and cola are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who do not. Green tea is also associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease. However, it is not yet known whether caffeine prevents or is associated with Parkinson's disease. Currently, there is not enough evidence that drinking caffeine drinks prevents Parkinson's disease.

Caffeine drinks