World Parkinson's Day: Knowing the main causes and features of this disease

World Parkinson's Day was created in 1997, choosing as date of birth Dr. James Parkinson, born April 11, 1755 in Shoreditch, England, who was the first to identify the degenerative disease in his essay An Essay on the Shaking Palsy (1817) where he described it as a "restless paralysis".

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects movement. The symptoms begin gradually. Sometimes it starts with a barely perceptible tremor in one hand. Tremors are common, although the disease usually also causes stiffness or decreased movement.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, the face may have a mild or non-existent expression. The arms can not swing when you walk. The word can become sweet or incomprehensible. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease worsen over time.

Although Parkinson's disease is not cured, the drugs could dramatically improve the symptoms. Sometimes the doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain areas of the brain and improve symptoms.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be different for each person. The first signs may be slight and go unnoticed. Often, symptoms begin on one side of the body and usually continue to worsen on that side, even after the symptoms begin to affect both sides.

The signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include:

• tremors A tremor, or tremor, usually begins in a limb, often in the hand or fingers. You can rub your thumb and index, which is known as a rolling tremor of the pill. Your hand may tremble when it is at rest.
• Slow movement (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson's can slow down your movements, making simple tasks difficult and tedious. Your steps may be shorter when you walk. It can be difficult to get up from the chair. You can slide your feet while trying to walk.
• Muscle stiffness Muscle stiffness can occur anywhere in the body. Rigid muscles can be painful and limit your ability to move.
• Postural change and balance. The posture can become curved or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease.
• Loss of automatic movements. You may have a reduced ability to perform unconscious movements, such as blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms when you walk.
• Discourse changes. You can speak softly, quickly, insult or doubt before speaking. Your speech may be more monotonous because of the usual lack of inflections.
• Changes in the writing. It can be harder to write and your writing may seem small.

The causes

In Parkinson's disease, some nerve cells (neurons) in the brain break down or gradually die. Most of the symptoms are due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, a kind of chemical messenger in the brain. When dopamine levels decrease, abnormal brain activity is generated, which causes the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors seem to influence it, including the following:

• Genetic Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause Parkinson's disease. However, these are rare, except in cases where many family members have Parkinson's disease, but some genetic variations appear to increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, but with a relatively lower risk of Parkinson's disease. from Parkinson. for each of these genetic markers.
• Environmental triggers Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of contracting Parkinson's disease in the future, but the risk is relatively minor.

The researchers also observed that many changes occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, although the reason for these changes is unclear. These changes include the following:

• The presence of Lewy bodies. Mbades of specific substances in brain cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson's disease. These mbades are called Lewy bodies and researchers believe that these Lewy bodies contain a significant clue to the cause of Parkinson's disease.
• In Lewy bodies is alpha-synuclein. Although many substances are present in Lewy bodies, scientists believe that a major substance is the natural and widespread protein called alpha-synuclein (a-synuclein). It is found in all Lewy bodies in the form of a mbad that cells can not break down. Currently, this substance is a major concern among researchers on Parkinson's disease.

Risk factors

The risk factors for Parkinson's disease are as follows:

• L & # 39; age. Young adults rarely suffer from Parkinson's disease. It begins in middle or advanced age and the risks increase with age. People usually show the disease around age 60 and up.
• Genetic predisposition. Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases your chances of developing the disease. However, the risks remain low unless you have many members of your family with Parkinson's disease.
• Sex Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women.
• Exposure to toxins. Constant exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Complications

Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by these additional problems, which can be treated:

• Difficulty thinking You may have cognitive problems (dementia) and difficulty thinking. This usually occurs at the more advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. Such cognitive problems do not usually respond to medication.
• Depression and emotional changes. You may have depression, sometimes at first. The treatment of depression can help overcome other difficulties caused by Parkinson's disease or to undergo other emotional changes such as fear, anxiety or loss of motivation. Doctors may prescribe medications to treat these symptoms.
• Ingestion problems Swallowing difficulties may develop as the disease progresses. Saliva can accumulate in the mouth due to slow swallowing, causing drooling.
• Problems with chewing and eating. Parkinson's disease at an advanced stage affects the muscles of the mouth, making it difficult to chew. This can cause choking and malnutrition.
• Sleep problems and sleep disorders. People with Parkinson's disease often have trouble sleeping, which includes waking up frequently at night, waking up early, or falling asleep during the day. dreams are played. Some medications can help treat sleep problems.
• Problems with the bladder Parkinson's disease can cause bladder problems, including the inability to contain urine or urination problems.
• Constipation Many people with Parkinson's disease have constipation, mainly because their digestive system works more slowly.

The following can also happen to you:

• Changes in blood pressure. You may feel dizzy or dizzy when you get up because of a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension).
• Dysfunctional odor It is possible that you have problems with your sense of smell. You may have trouble identifying some odors or differentiating them.
• Tired Many people with Parkinson's disease lose energy and feel tired, especially late in the day. The cause is usually unknown.
• Pain Some patients with Parkinson's disease present with pain either in specific areas or in the whole body.
• Sexual dysfunction In some cases, patients with Parkinson's disease notice decreased desire or badual performance.

Prevention

Because the cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, proven ways to prevent it are also a mystery.

Some research has shown that regular aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Other research has shown that people who drink caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea and cola drinks, are less likely to have Parkinson's disease than others. However, it is still unclear whether caffeine actually prevents Parkinson's disease or whether it is related in any way. At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the consumption of caffeinated beverages has a protective effect against Parkinson's disease. Green tea is also badociated with a lower risk of contracting Parkinson's disease.

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