Disease Care

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that typically causes tremors and stiffness in movement. Nerve cells in the part of the brain that produce dopamine, which controls muscle movement, start to deteriorate. When these dopamine-producing nerve cells break down, dopamine levels drop, and brain signals that direct movement become abnormal.

The average age of Parkinson's onset is 60 years old. Parkinson's is a progressive disease, which means symptoms worsen over time. There is no known cure, but people diagnosed with Parkinson's can now look forward to a much brighter future because there is equipment, medication, surgeries and physical therapies to help manage the disease, which were not available in the past.

Symptoms

Often, the first symptom of Parkinson's disease is tremor (trembling or shaking) of a limb, especially when the body is at rest. The tremor often begins on one side of the body, frequently in one hand. Other common symptoms include:

Slow movement (bradykinesia) or the inability to move (akinesia)
Rigid limbs
A shuffling gait, and stooped posture
Balance and walking problems
Speech changes
Difficulty swallowing or chewing
Foot pain and toe curling

Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease is usually diagnosed by a neurologist who can evaluate symptoms and their severity. There is no test that can clearly identify the disease. Sometimes people with suspected Parkinson's disease are given anti-Parkinson's drugs to see if they respond. Other tests, such as brain scans, can help doctors decide if a person has true Parkinson's disease or some other disorder that resembles it.

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