Parkinson's+Disease

= Parkinson's Disease= Parkinson's Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system. Over time, a person with Parkinson's Disease becomes disabled. People who are affected by the disorder are characterized by shaking, rigid muscles, and sluggish movement, and unfortunately it is a life-long condition. Parkinson's Disease affects both male and female in a variety of age ranges.Most cases appear in those who are over the age of 50, and currently [|over 1.5 million American's]are diagnosed with this disease. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease and also women who have reduced estrogen levels. Parkinson's occurs when nerve cells in part of the brain called substansia nigra are damaged or die. This is degenerative because this part of the brain produces dopamine, which helps the brain produce coordinated movement. When over 80% of these cells no longer exist, Parkinson's disease will be diagnosed and the patient will experience troubles doing simple everyday tasks.

Causes
 Genetics, Exposures to pesticides and herbicides may cause Parkinson’s disease, excessive uses of medications such as Haddon and Thomasine for psychiatric treatment, or to treat nausea (Raglan) and also epilepsy drugs cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, but stop after the medicine is no longer administered.



Treatment
As the disease is caused by lack of dopamine, the medicines used are those that replace or mimic dopamine. It will help improve the tremor, rigidity, and slowness associated with Parkinson’s. Although several new medicines have been developed, it is still under development. 

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">Sometimes, surgery can be used to help diminish effects of Parkinson’s disease. The therapy is called [|Deep Brain Stimulation], where electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a pulse generator.

Signs and Symptoms
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"> Tremors: These often start with just the finger or the hand shaking, and also in the legs. These tremors often do not occur at nighttime when people are sleeping. Bradykinesia: It causes a slow, shuffling walk with unsteady gait and stooped posture. Rigid Muscles: Often causes limited movements and severe pain. Impaired Balance Loss of Automatic Movements: Some may develop a fixed stare and do not blink. They lose the minor unconscious things body, such as smiling, blinking and swinging of the arms. When they speak, they often do not gesture and seem expressionless. Impaired speech: Those with Parkinson’s disease often speak in a monotone and softly. Difficulty Swallowing Dementia: Causes slow though processes and difficulty concentration

Drugs to treat Parkinson's disease

 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Carbidopa]and [|Levodopa]are often paired together, Carbidopa delays the conversion of Levodopa into Dopamine to the brain. The nerve cells can use the Levodopa to replenish supplies in the brain.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Ropinirole Bromocriptine]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Pergolide]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Apomorphine]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Pramipexole] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">Anticholinergics may help control tremor and rigidity.

Prognosis
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"> The prognosis for the disease, although it is chronic and can be progressive, it differs on the patient. It can either cause severe handicaps in people, or can just cause minor tremors.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">Research
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif"> Research is being done at Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NDS) at the National Institutes of Health and also gives grants to other major hospitals. Several large foundations have been created to help find a cure for Parkinson's. One of the largest include [|Michael J Fox's foundation], in which the disease effects him personally.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">Personal Testimony:
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif">[|Michael J Fox], an accomplished actor, was showing symptoms of Parkinson's while working on filming the movie Doc Hollywood. As Fox was unable to control his body, he had a stunt double who helped him by taking his place in many scenes of the movie. A year later he was properly diagnosed with the disease and soon after created his own foundation to find a cure. Michael continues to live with this disease and has gone on to still have a successful career. [|Muhammad Ali] is also another public figure who battles with Parkinson's disease. It is disputed whether his disease was influenced at all to boxing, but Ali states that even if it was he does not regret ever doing it. A famous memory of Ali and his disease was during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. Ali was the final torch bearer and came out trembling,yet he continued to proceed with lighting the big torch. He, along with Michael J Fox both continue to fight for a cure to their disease. courtesy of cache.eb.com/eb/ image?id=82609&rendTypeId=4

Other Famous People Who Have Had Parkinson's Disease:
Katherine Hepburn

Johnny Cash

__**Links**__ http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/pq/parkinsons.htm http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/187.html