Some years ago the famous American actor Michael J. Fox made headlines when he revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. While many assume that this disease is one that affects only the elderly, Mr. Fox demonstrated personally how this condition can really affect anyone at any time, and he did quite a bit of good in bringing the disease to the attention of the general public.
Parkinson’s Disease is also called shaking palsy. The cause is not known but it appears that when an imbalance of two substances in the brain, dopamine and acetylcholine, exist then the symptoms of this disease are present. These two substances are need to transmit messages between the nerve cells and the muscles throughout the body. When the amount of dopamine in the brain is somehow decreased the nerve signals in the brain become confused.
Dopamine assists with muscle control and without it the body has a hard time controlling its own movements. Those with this disease usually have severe trembling in the hands, arms, legs, the areas of their face, or may experience rigidity and stiffness of their limbs and they may also have problems with incontinence. Typically they also have a slowness of movement and problems with posture and balance. As the disease progresses the patient may have trouble walking, talking, and with other everyday tasks. Extreme cases of the disease may result in difficulty with chewing and swallowing, and even speaking.
Treating Parkinson’s Disease
As of now there is no cure for the disease but there are many treatment options available. Medications can help with dopamine production by stimulating the nerves responsible for this. Other medications can help with the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease by stimulating the muscles so that rigidity is reduces. Other may help with tremor. In some cases there may be surgeries that one can undergo; electrodes can be implanted into the brain so that certain areas are stimulated.
