Parkinson’s disease: cause and effect

Parkinson’s Disease is a gradually progressive disorder of the nervous system that causes mainly a loss of motor skills. It usually affects people over the age of 50. Major symptoms of the disease are tremors or shaking, stiffness of limbs, slowness of all movements and impaired balance. An estimated seven to 10 million people across the globe are affected by this particular disease. Many of these patients, and their family members, often neglect the symptoms, or simply attribute them to the ageing process. This keeps the disease undiagnosed for long periods of time.

Slow responsiveness, gradual slowness in daily life activity and tremor are the most salient features of Parkinson’s disease at the onset. For some patients the first symptom starts with worsening of handwriting with short letters, otherwise called micrographia. Tremor at rest is a very common feature of this disease, which in later course may appear with activity. As the disease progresses, patients develop considerable difficulty in walking and balance, talking and performing simple tasks. They may also face difficulty in speaking, emotional liability, memory loss, depression, sleep disorder, urinary complications and constipation.

Although Parkinson’s Disease was considered a non-genetic disorder, recent research indicates that some genetic vulnerability may also be the cause of the ailment. The research states that those who have first-degree relatives, such as father, mother, brother or sister, suffering from Parkinson’s Disease possess a slightly higher risk of developing it, as compared to other people. In about 5 percent cases, various gene abnormalities have been detected. These patients may have early onset of the disease.

The causes of Parkinson’s Disease still remain unknown, despite years of intensive research. However, some risk factors, such as exposure to pesticides and industrial fumes, drinking water from deep wells and head trauma, have been documented. Experts say that the disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which vary from person to person. Older people and males are more likely to develop this disease.
Loss of nerve cells or imbalance of some neuro-transmitters in brain, mainly dopamine and acetylcholine cause this gradually progressive disease.

There is no standard diagnostic test for Parkinson’s Disease. Its diagnosis is based on the patient’s medical history and a thorough clinical examination. Sophisticated techniques like DaTscan may to some extent help in diagnosis.

Presently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease. However, proper medication can provide almost miraculous stretches of relief from the symptoms. Levodopa (L-DOPA) is the best medication available for the purpose. Activation of central dopamine receptors improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. On average, a normal tablet of levodopa lasts for three to four hours. One of the inevitable consequences of sustained Levodopa treatment is the on-off phenomenon. This is characterised by alternative phases of immobility and incapacity, and periods of restoration of normal movement.

For selected patients, a special form of brain surgery, also known as “deep brain stimulation”, can be very useful where an electrode is implanted to stimulate brain cells. The device is often referred to as a “brain pacemaker”. It can be of two types: rechargeable and non-rechargeable. On average, a battery lasts for three to five years.

There is yet another new delivery method for Levodopa (known as Duodopa), which, according to latest research, has significantly improved the duration of the drug’s effectiveness in people with advanced Parkinson’s Disease. The new method suggests continuous delivery of an intestinal gel, which is traditionally delivered orally. Researchers claim that it reduces “off-time” for Parkinson’s Disease patients, by an average of extra two hours each day.
Attention to proper nutrition is essential for someone suffering from Parkinson’s—this can go a long way in keeping the manifestations under control. One must follow a balanced diet, covering all the food groups. Taking food rich in fibre, and drinking, at the least, 6-8 glasses of water, everyday, are essential in controlling constipation. Good sources of fibre can be breads, vegetables, cereals, and fruits, especially with their skin on.

One must also be careful about adding calories: if there is a calorie deficit, the best way to add calories would be through complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats. One must also be extra careful in keeping cholesterol in check; daily intake should not cross 300 mg. Particular attention must be paid to the level of daily calcium intake by someone afflicted with the disease. Research shows that Parkinson’s patients are prone to developing osteoporosis. To reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis, a daily intake of 1000-1500 mg calcium can be useful.

If a Parkinson’s patient has poor appetite, giving the person, smaller, regular meals can be considered. Also, keeping in mind the dietary parameters, it might be useful to offer a Parkinson’s patient food with distinct flavours and aroma, which can make the meals more appealing.
(Reprint)

 

Parkinsons disease: cause and effect

Parkinsons Disease is a gradually progressive disorder of the nervous system that causes mainly a loss of motor skills. It usually affects people over the age of 50. Major symptoms of the disease are tremors or shaking, stiffness of limbs, slowness of all movements and impaired balance. An estimated seven to 10 million people across the globe are affected by this particular disease. Many of these patients, and their family members, often neglect the symptoms, or simply attribute them to the ageing process. This keeps the disease undiagnosed for long periods of time. Slow responsiveness, gradual slowness in daily life activity and tremor are the most salient features of Parkinsons disease at the onset. For some patients the first symptom starts with worsening of handwriting with short letters, otherwise called micrographia. Tremor at rest is a very common feature of this disease, which in later course may appear with activity. As the disease progresses, patients develop considerable difficulty in walking and balance, talking and performing simple tasks. They may also face difficulty in speaking, emotional liability, memory loss, depression, sleep disorder, urinary complications and constipation. Although Parkinsons Disease was considered a non-genetic disorder, recent research indicates that some genetic vulnerability may also be the cause of the ailment. The research states that those who have first-degree relatives, such as father, mother, brother or sister, suffering from Parkinsons Disease possess a slightly higher risk of developing it, as compared to other people. In about 5 percent cases, various gene abnormalities have been detected. These patients may have early onset of the disease. The causes of Parkinsons Disease still remain unknown, despite years of intensive research. However, some risk factors, such as exposure to pesticides and industrial fumes, drinking water from deep wells and head trauma, have been documented. Experts say that the disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which vary from person to person. Older people and males are more likely to develop this disease. Loss of nerve cells or imbalance of some neuro-transmitters in brain, mainly dopamine and acetylcholine cause this gradually progressive disease. There is no standard diagnostic test for Parkinsons Disease. Its diagnosis is based on the patients medical history and a thorough clinical examination. Sophisticated techniques like DaTscan may to some extent help in diagnosis. Presently, there is no cure for Parkinsons Disease. However, proper medication can provide almost miraculous stretches of relief from the symptoms. Levodopa (L-DOPA) is the best medication available for the purpose. Activation of central dopamine receptors improves the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. On average, a normal tablet of levodopa lasts for three to four hours. One of the inevitable consequences of sustained Levodopa treatment is the on-off phenomenon. This is characterised by alternative phases of immobility and incapacity, and periods of restoration of normal movement. For selected patients, a special form of brain surgery, also known as deep brain stimulation, can be very useful where an electrode is implanted to stimulate brain cells. The device is often referred to as a brain pacemaker. It can be of two types: rechargeable and non-rechargeable. On average, a battery lasts for three to five years. There is yet another new delivery method for Levodopa (known as Duodopa), which, according to latest research, has significantly improved the duration of the drugs effectiveness in people with advanced Parkinsons Disease. The new method suggests continuous delivery of an intestinal gel, which is traditionally delivered orally. Researchers claim that it reduces off-time for Parkinsons Disease patients, by an average of extra two hours each day. Attention to proper nutrition is essential for someone suffering from Parkinsonsthis can go a long way in keeping the manifestations under control. One must follow a balanced diet, covering all the food groups. Taking food rich in fibre, and drinking, at the least, 6-8 glasses of water, everyday, are essential in controlling constipation. Good sources of fibre can be breads, vegetables, cereals, and fruits, especially with their skin on. One must also be careful about adding calories: if there is a calorie deficit, the best way to add calories would be through complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats. One must also be extra careful in keeping cholesterol in check; daily intake should not cross 300 mg. Particular attention must be paid to the level of daily calcium intake by someone afflicted with the disease. Research shows that Parkinsons patients are prone to developing osteoporosis. To reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis, a daily intake of 1000-1500 mg calcium can be useful. If a Parkinsons patient has poor appetite, giving the person, smaller, regular meals can be considered. Also, keeping in mind the dietary parameters, it might be useful to offer a Parkinsons patient food with distinct flavours and aroma, which can make the meals more appealing. (Reprint)