Parkinson's Disease Overview
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination.
Causes
Parkinson's disease was first described in England in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson. The disease affects approximately 2 of every 1,000 people and most often develops after age 50. It is one of the most common neurologic disorders of the elderly. Sometimes Parkinson's disease occurs in younger adults, but is rarely seen in children. It affects both men and women.
Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement are gradually destroyed. The damage gets worse with time. The exact reason that the cells of the brain waste away is unknown. The disorder may affect one or both sides of the body, with varying degrees of loss of function.
Nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help send signals back and forth. Damage in the area of the brain that controls muscle movement causes a decrease in dopamine production. Too little dopamine disturbs the balance between nerve-signalling substances (transmitters). Without dopamine, the nerve cells cannot properly send messages. This results in the loss of muscle function.
Early loss of mental capacities is uncommon. However, persons with severe Parkinson's may have overall mental deterioration (including dementia and hallucinations). Dementia can also be a side effect of some of the medications used to treat the disorder.
The term "parkinsonism" refers to any condition that involves a combination of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism may be caused by other disorders (such as secondary parkinsonism) or certain medications used to treat schizophrenia.
Symptoms »
Signs and Tests »
The health care provider may be able to diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your symptoms and physical examination. However, the symptoms may be difficult to assess, particularly in the elderly. For example, the tremor may not appear when the person is sitting quietly with arms in the lap. The posture changes may be similar to osteoporosis or other changes associated with aging. Lack of facial expression may be a sign of depression.
Treatment »
There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination.
Causes
Parkinson's disease was first described in England in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson. The disease affects approximately 2 of every 1,000 people and most often develops after age 50. It is one of the most common neurologic disorders of the elderly. Sometimes Parkinson's disease occurs in younger adults, but is rarely seen in children. It affects both men and women.
Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement are gradually destroyed. The damage gets worse with time. The exact reason that the cells of the brain waste away is unknown. The disorder may affect one or both sides of the body, with varying degrees of loss of function.
Nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help send signals back and forth. Damage in the area of the brain that controls muscle movement causes a decrease in dopamine production. Too little dopamine disturbs the balance between nerve-signalling substances (transmitters). Without dopamine, the nerve cells cannot properly send messages. This results in the loss of muscle function.
Early loss of mental capacities is uncommon. However, persons with severe Parkinson's may have overall mental deterioration (including dementia and hallucinations). Dementia can also be a side effect of some of the medications used to treat the disorder.
The term "parkinsonism" refers to any condition that involves a combination of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism may be caused by other disorders (such as secondary parkinsonism) or certain medications used to treat schizophrenia.
Symptoms »
- Muscle rigidity
- Stiffness
- Difficulty bending arms or legs
- Unstable, stooped, or slumped-over posture
- Loss of balance
- Gait (walking pattern) changes
- Shuffling walk
- Slow movements
- Difficulty initiating any voluntary movement
- Difficulty beginning to walk
- Difficulty getting up from a chair
- Small steps followed by the need to run to maintain balance
- Freezing of movement when the movement is stopped, inability to resume movement
- Muscle aches and pains (myalgia)
- Shaking, tremors (varying degrees, may not be present)
- Characteristically occur at rest, may occur at any time
- May become severe enough to interfere with activities
- May be worse when tired, excited, or stressed
- Finger-thumb rubbing (pill-rolling tremor) may be present
- Changes in facial expression
- Reduced ability to show facial expressions
- "Mask" appearance to face
- Staring
- May be unable to close mouth
- Reduced rate of blinking
- Voice or speech changes
- Slow speech
- Low volume
- Monotone
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of fine motor skills
- Difficulty writing, may be small and illegible
- Difficulty eating
- Difficulty with any activity that requires small movements
- Uncontrolled, slow movement
- Frequent falls
- Decline in intellectual function (may occur, can be severe)
- A variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, mainly constipation.
Signs and Tests »
The health care provider may be able to diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your symptoms and physical examination. However, the symptoms may be difficult to assess, particularly in the elderly. For example, the tremor may not appear when the person is sitting quietly with arms in the lap. The posture changes may be similar to osteoporosis or other changes associated with aging. Lack of facial expression may be a sign of depression.
Treatment »
There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
