Parkinson's Disease Cause Unknown

    In recent years, Parkinson's Disease (PD) has come back into the news, as Michael J. Fox announced he has the disease.

    Parkinson's Disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.

    "The cause of PD is unknown," said Dr. Ahmed Robbie, doctor of neurology at the Freeman Health Systems. "It can be brought on by strokes, multi-head trauma/injury to the brain or some medicines."

    The disease occurs when certain nerve cells become impaired.

    Symptoms of the disease include tremors or trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face. Another symptom includes rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk or even slowness of movement or the postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.

    As the symptoms become more pronounced, the patients may have difficulty walking, completing simple tasks or even talking.

    "We usually see people with Parkinson's Disease over the age of 60," said Robbie.

    About 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease each year, with more than half a million Americans affected at any one time.

    In the past few years, there have been some physicians which estimate between 5 to 10 percent of patients under the age of 40 have "early-onset" of the disease.

    Symptoms may also include a depression and other emotional changes, difficulty in swallowing, chewing, sleep disruptions and urinary problems or constipation.

    Currently there are no blood or laboratory tests available to detect Parkinson's Disease.

    "We can do an image study of the head," said Robbie.

    At the current time, there is no cure for PD, but there is a variety of medications which provide some relief from the symptoms.

    "Treatment is divided into the early stages and the progressive stages," said Robbie. "With the early stages, minor symptoms, the patients are put under observation. With the progressive, more treatment is done."

    If Parkinson's Disease doesn't respond to drugs, surgery may be an action.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved deep brain stimulation (DBS). In DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a small electrical device which in turn decreases the involuntary movements.

    Deep brain stimulation requires careful programming of the simulator device in order to work correctly.

    Along with DBS helping in PD, it also has helped dystonia.

    Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder which causes muscles in the body to contract or spasm involuntarily.

    The involuntary muscle contractions cause twisting, repetitive and patterned movements as well as abnormal postures.

    Parkinson's Disease is both chronic, which means it persists over a long period of time. Secondly, it is progressive, which means the symptoms grow worse over time.

    Some patients become severely disabled, while others only have minor motor disruptions.

    According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "no one can predict which symptoms will affect an individual patient and the intensity of the symptoms also varies from person to person."

    "The disease is not hereditary," said Robbie.

    There are some tips to relieve symptoms of the disease.

    "Do not smoke and have a healthy lifestyle," said Robbie.

    Physicians also suggest to exercise. By using physical therapy, underused and rigid muscles are put through a full range of motion.

    The exercises can also improve the emotional well-being of the patients, by giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Walking, gardening and swimming is also beneficial.

  Parkinson's Disease | Today's News