Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a nervous system disorder that affects the movement of the body. It occurs when nerve cells in an area of the brain that controls movement become unpaired or die. It leads to shaking in one hand, slow movement, stiffness, difficulty with walking, and loss of balance and coordination. The symptoms of this disease usually begin gradually and get worse over time.

Causes

Researches believe that in most people, Parkinson’s disease is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factor. Genetic changes and exposure to environmental factors such as toxin exposure, brain injury, or some drugs and medications may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms

Each person has their own mix of symptoms for Parkinson’s disease. The symptoms of this disease develop gradually. Some early signs of Parkinson’s disease include resting tremors, stiffness in the body, and slowness of body movements. Some people may also experience walking and balance problems and it also affects other body systems like constipation, sleep problems, cognitive changes, and depression.

Types

There are three major types of Parkinsonism. Parkinsonism is the group of symptoms Parkinson’s disease can cause. These include Idiopathic Parkinsonism in which the cause of the disease is unclear, and it may occur spontaneously, Vascular Parkinsonism in which the cause may be multiple minor strokes in important areas of the brain, and Drug-induced Parkinsonism in which the symptoms are caused due to the side effects of certain medications.

Treatment

Neurologists diagnose Parkinson’s disease by completing a medical history and physical examination. they look for 2-3 classic major symptoms. The medication to treat Parkinson’s disease can’t slow or stop the progression of the disease, but it can ease symptoms and help the patient to continue doing much of what they have always done. The same goes for certain surgical procedures and combinations of therapies which are good options for some people.

Treatment at home.

The patient can do some of the things which can make them feel good like making sure to eat well, avoiding toxins and head trauma, exercising daily as it can reduce the inflammation in the brain, and stay connected to other people.

When to see a doctor

If you observe at least two or three of these main early signs of Parkinson’s disease or your daily tasks become more difficult and lengthy to do, then you need to seek a Neurologist. Dr. Pankaj Singh can help you find out if Parkinson’s disease is the reason behind the symptoms and will diagnose the disease and treat it accordingly.