Know About The Symptoms And Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease

No one can stay young forever. Everything has to deteriorate with time. This happens with our body too. As we grow old, the function of the body slows down. The organ starts to weaken. Their function reduces. The same this happens with the nervous system too. Although not found in all, but some people after 50 years of age starts to feel difficulty with coordination. This is called Parkinson’s disease.
parkinson's diseaseThis is the most common disease among the elderly people. This happens due to the nervous system disorder. Though, it is found among the young people too but the chances are quite less. It is said, if it is found in the young generation, then, it might be genetic. This disease can affect both men and women.

A chemical, named dopamine is used by the nerve cell to send the signal to the muscle so that it can be managed. With age, the cell which prepares dopamine destroys. With this, it gets difficult to manage the muscle movements and thus the things turn bad with time.

Symptoms:

Similar to any other disease, this also shows symptoms. It is important to understand the symptoms so that the treatment can be taken before it gets worse. The person suffering from this disease may feel the following:

  • 1.    Difficulty swallowing
  • 2.    Decreased in facial expression
  • 3.    Decreased in eye blinking
  • 4.    Monotonous speech
  • 5.    Drooling
  • 6.    Muscle pain or ache
  • 7.    Difficulty starting movement
  • 8.    Difficulty continuing to move
  • 9.    Problem with balance and walking
  • 10.    Stooped position
  • 11.    Shaking
  • 12.    Constipation
  • 13.    Slow blinking
  • 14.    Slowed movements
  • 15.    Difficulty in small and fine hand movements
  • 16.    Depression
  • 17.    Memory loss
  • 18.    Hallucination
  • 19.    Confusion
  • 20.    Stress, anxiety and tension
  • 21.    Fainting
  • 22.    Dementia
  • 23.    Unsteady balance
  • 24.    Stiffness or abnormal tone
  • 25.    Daytime sleepiness
  • 26.    Lack of blood temperature control
  • 27.    Low blood pressure when getting up
  • 28.    Stiff or rigid muscles

Treatment:

Although, the medication won’t be able to help much but it could at least take care of the symptoms. The medicines can help you do activities like walking. The dopamine can’t be induced in your brain though the medicine would help you with the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe you the following medicines:

Carbidopa-Levodopa (Parcopa): Levodopa is a chemical which passes into your brain and gets converted to dopamine. It is combined with Carbidopa as it prevents the formation of dopamine outside the brain. If it happens then it may cause you nausea.

Mao B Inhibitors: This medicine actually prevents the breakdown of dopamine. It inhibits the brain and metabolizes the dopamine.

Dopamine Agonists: This medicine isn’t as effective as Levodopa as it doesn’t form into dopamine. But, it mimics the component and acts as it inside your brain.

Anticholinergics: This has been used since a long time to deal with the tremor caused by the disease.

Catechol O-Methyltransferase (Comt) Inhibitors: This is the primary medication as it breaks down the component which affect the levodopa. When the component is broken then the effect of levodopa is prolonged.

This disease, as we mentioned, is quite common among the people. Most of the people in America are suffering from it. As this is an age related disease, nothing can be done actually. All you’ve to do is take care of yourself and your health. Keep visiting your doctor so that you could get the symptoms in the early stages. This would help you to start the treatment easily. So, be cautious.