Statement of the Illness/Disease

Parkinson's Disease is a neurological disorder that progressively affects a part of the brain that controls the voluntary movements of the human body.

Typically, neurotransmitters called Dopamine, carries messages between the nerve cells to promote voluntary movements throughout the body. As a result of Parkinson's Disease, an excessive amount of dopamine is loss and the individual will lack control of his voluntary movements.

Types of Parkinson's Disease:

• Postencephalitic Parkinsonism
• Drug-Induced Parkinsonism
• Striatonigral Degeneration
• Arteriosclerotic Parkinsonism
• Toxin-Induced Parkinsonism
  

Normal Functions of the Motor System

The motor system is within the cerebral cortex of brain. The motor system is a system in the human body that controls the human body's voluntary movement. The pyramidal system is the main motor pathway that extends from the motor cortex in the brain down to the spinal cord of the body. The extrapyramidal circuit promotes or hinders the movement of the body. Messages are sent throughout the rest of the body by the neurotransmitters called dopamine. Dopamine sends messages between nerve cells.

Signs/Symptoms and Progression

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease:

• resting tremor
• rigidity
• bradykinesia
• postural instability

Stages of Parkinson's Disease:

1. Signs of Symptoms (listed above)
2. Possible speech abnormalities, decreased posture, and abnormal gait along with the symptoms from stage 1.
3. balance difficulties
4. lack of independence - unable to live alone.
5. Patients need wheelchair assistance or are unable to get out of bed.
   

Treatment

At this moment, there's no cure or medication that effectively halts the disease's advance.
However, there are ways to lessen symptoms of PD.
Doctors generally use drug medications with the least number of side effects.

List of Drug Medications:

• Selegiline
• Levodopa
• Carbidopa/Sinemet
• Bromocriptine and Pergolide
• Mirapex
  
  

People with Parkinson's Disease can also go into physical therapy which may help them improve their independence as they live with the disease.


Physical therapy can help improve their:

• balance
• coordination
• fatigue
• weakness
• mobility
  

Conclusion - Preventives

Parkinson's Disease is not 100% preventable, nor is there an actual way to prevent the disease. There hasn't been that many research on ways to prevent Parkinson's, but there may be some ways to lessen that chance of getting Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's Disease MAY be lessened by staying away from:

• psychoactive drugs that cause dopamine counts to lessen.
• harmful substances that can damage the brain.

Early research has shown that increased coffee intakes may lower risk of getting Parkinson's Disease.

Reference List - Parkinson's Disease

1. Broxmeyer MD, L. (2000 & 2002) Parkinson’s – Another Look. Chula Vista, Ca : New Century Press.
2. Gordon, S. (1992) Parkinson’s A Personal Story of Acceptance. Boston, Ma : Branden Publishing Company, INC.
3. Hauser, R., & Zesiewicz, T. (2000). Parkinson’s Disease Questions and Answers. Coral Springs, Florida : Merit Publishing International.
4. Landau, E. (1999) Parkinson’s Disease. United States : Groiler Publishing.
5. The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. (1996-2007) About Parkinson’s Disease. July 18, 2009, http://www.parkinson.org/Page.aspx?pid=225
6. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center (Jan 21, 2002) July 18, 2009, http://pathology.mc.duke.edu/neuropath/nawr/motor-systems.html
7. WebMD (nd) Parkinson’s Disease: Physical and Occupational Therapy. July 18, 2009, http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/physical-occupational-therapy