Incidence Of Parkinsons Disease
Its estimated that approximately four people per 1,000 in Australia have Parkinsons disease, with the incidence increasing to one in 100 over the age of 60. In Australia, there are approximately 80,000 people living with Parkinsons disease, with one in five of these people being diagnosed before the age of 50. In Victoria, more than 2,225 people are newly diagnosed with Parkinsons every year.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated
If the disease progresses in an advanced stage that can lead to disability, it should be properly treated and taken according to the doctor’s orders at an early stage and keep optimistic to slow the progression of the disease.
Some of the methods used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease are as follows:
Foods Containing Nutrients That People May Be Deficient In
Some research suggests that people with Parkinsons often have certain nutrient deficiencies, including deficiencies in iron, vitamin B1, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D.
The above study points out that some of these deficiencies may be associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, which are key factors in Parkinsons.
Therefore, people with Parkinsons may wish to consume more of the following foods.
Foods containing iron
The following foods are good sources of iron:
- certain fortified foods
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How Does This Condition Affect My Body
Parkinsons disease causes a specific area of your brain, the basal ganglia, to deteriorate. As this area deteriorates, you lose the abilities those areas once controlled. Researchers have uncovered that Parkinsons disease causes a major shift in your brain chemistry.
Under normal circumstances, your brain uses chemicals known as neurotransmitters to control how your brain cells communicate with each other. When you have Parkinsons disease, you dont have enough dopamine, one of the most important neurotransmitters.
When your brain sends activation signals that tell your muscles to move, it fine-tunes your movements using cells that require dopamine. Thats why lack of dopamine causes the slowed movements and tremors symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the symptoms expand and intensify. Later stages of the disease often affect how your brain functions, causing dementia-like symptoms and depression.
Develop Biological Markers Of Exposure And Identify During Prodromal Phase
Current epidemiological studies that assess environmental and thus preventable causes of PD are limited by the absence of robust biological markers of exposure. Such markers are needed because the time between exposure and diagnosis of the disease can be a decade or longer . A few studies have found remnants of fat-soluble pesticides in the brains of individuals with PD , including polychlorinated biphenyls . However, in vivo studies have been few even though levels of some pesticides and their metabolites can be found in the body fat of humans .
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Causes Of Parkinsons Disease
At present, we do not know the cause of Parkinsons disease. In most people there is no family history of Parkinsons Researchers worldwide are investigating possible causes, including:
- environmental triggers, pesticides, toxins, chemicals
- genetic factors
- combinations of environment and genetic factors
Tests And Diagnosis Of Parkinson Disease:
The diagnosis of Parkinson disease involves a careful medical history and a neurological exam to look for characteristic symptoms. There are no definitive tests for parkinson’s disease, although a variety of lab tests may be done to rule out other causes of symptoms, especially if only some of the identifying symptoms are present. Test for other causes of Parkinsonism may include brain scans, blood tests, lumbar puncture and X-rays.
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Causes Of This Pathology
The symptoms of Parkinson’s are a consequence of the degeneration of subcortical brain structures . The destruction of dopaminergic neurons of the basal ganglia, especially of the region known as “substantia nigra”, hinders multiple cognitive and motor functions.
The causes of Parkinson’s disease they are unknown . It is known that there is a genetic component, since 15% of people diagnosed have close relatives who also suffer or have suffered this disorder.
The development of Parkinson’s is probably due to the combination of mutations in several genes . Exposure to some toxins, such as those present in pesticides, herbicides and heavy metals, is also considered a risk factor, although the importance of these environmental factors seems less than that of genetics.
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Tips For Daily Living
If you are already living with Parkinsons disease, here are some tips to manage it:
- Exercise your brain. Read, work on crossword puzzle, do Sudoku, or engage in other activities that use your brain.
- Get moving. If you feel comfortable walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike, go for itand try to do it on a regular basis.
- Try tai chi. We think of tai chi as a mind-body exercise, and it is, but it also has roots as a martial art in China. A 2012 study found that practicing tai chi helped people with moderate Parkinsons disease maintain stability and balance. And a 2014 study found that tai chi can help people reduce their risk of falling. It incorporates a flowing series of coordinated movements to help you maintain flexibility, strength and balance, and it can be easily adapted to meet your abilities.
- Practice yoga. You dont have to perform headstands or other physically challenging poses to get significant benefits from practicing yoga. You can improve your balance, mobility, flexibility, and strength with a form thats adapted for you.
- Find a support group. Whether you prefer an online support group or a group that meets in person, a support group can be an invaluable resource for helping you live with Parkinsons disease.
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Pesticide And Herbicide Exposure
A strong link has been shown between PD and exposure to pesticides and herbicides. We need more Parkinsons-specific research to better understand what causes PD and to work to prevent it and help eliminate the risk of getting the disease, when it comes to all environmental risk factors and whether genetics can cause an increased risk in developing Parkinsons.
One herbicide that has been linked to Parkinsons is paraquat, a widely used commercial herbicide in the U.S. that is banned in 32 countries, including the European Union and China. The Parkinsons Foundation, along with the Unified Parkinsons Advocacy Council, signed two letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encouraging them to cancel the registration of paraquat based on strong scientific research linking the herbicide to Parkinsons disease. In October 2020, the EPA re-approved paraquat for use in the U.S. Without additional action, paraquat will remain legal for sale and use in the U.S. for the next 15 years.
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
If you have Parkinsons disease, the best thing you can do is follow the guidance of your healthcare provider on how to take care of yourself.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your medications can make a huge difference in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. You should take your medications as prescribed and talk to your provider if you notice side effects or start to feel like your medications aren’t as effective.
- See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications and dosages.
- Dont ignore or avoid symptoms. Parkinsons disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, many of which are treatable by treating the condition or the symptoms themselves. Treatment can make a major difference in keeping symptoms from having worse effects.
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How Is Parkinson Disease Treated
Parkinson disease cant be cured. But there are different therapies that can help control symptoms. Many of the medicines used to treat Parkinson disease help to offset the loss of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Most of these medicines help manage symptoms quite successfully.
A procedure called deep brain stimulation may also be used to treat Parkinson disease. It sends electrical impulses into the brain to help control tremors and twitching movements. Some people may need surgery to manage Parkinson disease symptoms. Surgery may involve destroying small areas of brain tissue responsible for the symptoms. However, these surgeries are rarely done since deep brain stimulation is now available.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease
No one knows for sure what makes these nerve cells break down. But scientists are doing a lot of research to look for the answer. They are studying many possible causes, including aging and poisons in the environment.
Abnormal genes seem to lead to Parkinson’s disease in some people. But so far, there is not enough proof to show that it is always inherited.
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Treatments For Parkinson’s Include:
Medicines: Medicines, such as levodopa and dopamine agonists. The goal is to correct the shortage of the brain chemical dopamine, which causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Several medicines may be used at different stages of the disease are:
Levodopa and carbidopa: Levodopa is precursor of dopamine. Levodopa is combined with carbidopa, which protects levodopa from premature conversion to dopamine outside brain,which prevents or lessens side effects such as nausea. L-dopa therapy usually remains effective for five years, as disease progresses, many patients develop motor fluctuations including dyskinesias , rapid loss of response after dosing even after taking of high doses of levodopa.
Dopamine agonists : Dopamine agonists may be used before L-dopa therapy or added on to avoid requirements for higher L-dopa doses late in the disease.
COMT inhibitors: Entacapone and tolcapone are inhibitors of another enzyme system called catechol-o-methyl transferase are effectively treating Parkinsons disease. This medication mildly prolongs the effect of levodopa therapy by blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine.
MAO-B inhibitors : These can prevent the breakdown of brain dopamine by inhibiting the brain enzyme monoamine oxidase B and prolong the effects of dopamine. This enzyme metabolizes brain dopamine.
Anticholinergic agents: These medications were used for many years to help control the tremor associated with Parkinson’s disease. Example: Benztropine or Trihexyphenidyl.
Long Term Risks Longer Than 3
- Overall, Exablate Neuro is a reasonably safe procedure for treating essential tremor with minimal risk. Infrequent complications that have been reported following Exablate Neuro treatment include long-term numbness and tingling. Additionally, if brain tissue is damaged, there may be muscle weakness, numbness, or sensory loss that may resolve after several months, or it may be non-reversible.
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How Is Rls Treated
If your RLS is caused by another health condition , you may be able to mitigate it by treating the other condition. For example, if low iron levels cause your RLS, taking iron supplements may solve the problem. If a known condition does not cause your RLS, however, you can explore with your care teams guidance several lifestyle changes that may help. You can also work with your physician to see if medication adjustments may be an option.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Parkinsons Disease
Some of the common risk factors of PD are:
Age: PD is rare among young adults. It is more prevalent among middle-aged adults and above. The risk continues to increase with age. Generally, people aged over 60 years develop Parkinsons disease.
Heredity: People with a close relative with PD are at higher risk of developing the disease. However, unless several people in the family have the disease, the chances are low that a person will develop PD genetically.
Exposure to Toxins: Increased and continued exposure to herbicides and pesticides can increase the risks of Parkinsons disease.
Gender: As per research, most doctors and scientists find that PD is more likely to affect men than women usually.
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Your Home And Lifestyle
- Modify your activities and your home. For example, simplify your daily activities, and change the location of furniture so that you can hold on to something as you move around the house.
- Eat healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.
- Exercise and do physiotherapy. They have benefits in both early and advanced stages of the disease.
Over The Counter & Complementary Therapies
People with Parkinsons who seek relief from their symptoms may decide to explore complementary therapies, which can support or complement traditional medicine. While there are many kinds of complementary medicine, this section focuses on herbs, vitamins and supplements.
Page reviewed by Dr. Chauncey Spears, Clinical Assistant Professor and Dr. Amelia Heston, Movement Disorders Fellow at the University of Michigan.
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How Is Parkinsons Disease Diagnosed
There is not a test that can confirm you have Parkinsons. You must experience at least 2 of the 4 main motor symptoms before your doctor will consider it. They will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have Parkinsons disease, they may refer you to a neurologist. The neurologist will have you complete tasks that use your nervous system. These are intended to test your balance, muscles, gait, and agility. They may also do imaging tests, such as a CT or MRI scan, to rule out other conditions.
Causes Of Parkinson Disease
In Parkinson disease, synuclein forms clumps called Lewy bodies in nerve cells. Lewy bodies consist of misfolded synuclein. Synuclein can accumulate in several regions of the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra and interfere with brain function. Lewy bodies often accumulate in other parts of the brain and nervous system, suggesting that they may be involved in other disorders. In Lewy body dementia Dementia With Lewy Bodies and Parkinson Disease Dementia Dementia with Lewy bodies is progressive loss of mental function characterized by the development of Lewy bodies in nerve cells. Parkinson disease dementia is loss of mental function characterized read more , Lewy bodies form throughout the outer layer of the brain . Lewy bodies may also be involved in Alzheimer disease Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer disease is a progressive loss of mental function, characterized by degeneration of brain tissue, including loss of nerve cells, the accumulation of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid read more , possibly explaining why about one third of people with Parkinson disease have symptoms of Alzheimer disease and why some people with Alzheimer disease develop parkinsonian symptoms.
About 10% of people with Parkinson disease have relatives who have or have had the disease. Also, several gene mutations that can cause Parkinson disease have been identified.
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How To Do Diagnosis Of The Parkinsons Disease
There are no exact medical tests are available to detect the disease, so accurate diagnosis is mostly difficult.
Patients medical history and family history should be accurately checked.the doctor will also look for following symptoms :
- signs of tremors
normal
CT Scan and MRI :
usually normal but some cases show accumulation in substantia Nigra may be visulized as T2 Hypersensitivity.
PET :
will show reduced uptake in putamen.
SPECT:
will show decreased straital metabolism.
Exercise Program For Parkinsons Disease Patients :
Strength Training :
strength training is important for patients with PD.Strength training involves using your body weight or tools.Depending on the stage of the disease you are in, your physical therapist will suggest you resisted exercises.start up with low repetition and weight and then gradually increase it.A focus on extensor muscles, or muscles in the back of the body, can help to improve postural issues.Resistance can be given with the help of :Weight cuffsResistance band .via water pool , using the waters resistance for strengthening.
Stretching and Flexibility :
It is common for patients with Parkinsons disease to develop stiffness in their muscles.To cope up with stiffness, it is important to stretch at frequent intervals throughout the day.Stretching can be beneficial to maintain range of motion and posture.Holding each stretch of major muscle groups for 30 to 60 seconds may increase length of the muscle.
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise involves activities that improve your cardio pulmonary endurance.activities such as
- Jacobsons progressive relaxation techniques can be used.
- some gentle position of yoga can be used.
- life style modifications and time management techniques can be used to reduce anxiety.
Make a good postural habit :
Facial exercises to cope up the difficulties of speaking or swallowing:
Mental exercises to improve your memory.
For example:
Life style modifications to ease PD patients :
Gait training :
It focuses on primary gait deficits like :
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Who Does It Affect
The risk of developing Parkinsons disease naturally increases with age, and the average age at which it starts is 60 years old. Its slightly more common in men or people designated male at birth than in women or people designated female at birth .
While Parkinsons disease is usually age-related, it can happen in adults as young as 20 .
What Else Do We Know
As scientists try to learn whats at the root of Parkinsons, theyre looking far and wide to pick up clues where they can.
Theyve found that people with Parkinsons tend to have something called Lewy bodies in their brain. These are unusual clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein. The protein itself is normal, but the clumps are not. And theyre found in parts of the brain that affect sleep and sense of smell, which could explain some symptoms of Parkinsons not related to movement.
Your gut may also have a part in it, as some of its cells make dopamine, too. Some doctors think that this might be where the earliest signs of Parkinsons show up, but that idea needs more research.
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