Parkinson’s disease is a physical condition in which the there is a continuous tremor of the hands, legs, jaws, face, rigidity, limb stiffness, slow movement, irregular bowel and urinary problems. In some cases it has been observed that the patient finds it difficult to maintain the balance. There are problems in coordination and at times patients tend to become emotional, disoriented and very stressed out.

Parkinson’s disease occurs when the dopamine supply to the brain is reduced. This generally happens with people in the age group above 50 years or with people approaching 50.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

The disease sets in virtually without a warning. Parkinson’s disease symptoms are wide and varied. Initially there may be a slight trembling or tingling sensation of the limbs which many would tend to neglect. Recurring tingling sensations may be more pronounced and in some cases have found to progress rapidly. The trembling increases manifold and initially the hands and the arms are affected. Some patients have problems with maintaining postural stability and frequent imbalance related complications recur.

As Parkinson’s Disease symptoms progress, day to day activities of the patient seem to become difficult with the constant shaking of the limbs and face. Shaking of jaws result in loss of appetite and food intake decreases gradually which may lead to other complications. Slow movement of the limbs which is commonly referred to as Bradykinesia and rigidity set in as the disease advances. People with Parkinson’s disease show the typical characteristic of being stone-faced, which is akin to being absolutely expressionless and this is related to the effect of Bradykinesia having set in.

Constipation, constantly getting irritated, difficulty in swallowing, speaking or even chewing are some more indications that develop at a later stage.

Parkinson’s disease Treatment

There is no complete cure to Parkinson’s disease. However, there are various approaches adapted to Parkinson’s disease treatment. Drug related therapy includes measured administration of levodopa which is combined with carbidopa. As carbidopa goes into the blood, it delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine till dopamine reaches the brain. In specific cases this has proved to be highly successful especially where there are symptoms of Bradykinesia and rigidity.

However, it has limited or marginal effect on those suffering from involuntary tremor or shaking of limbs, jaws and face. Patients having problems with balance and irregular bowel movements and urinary problems don’t show any response to carbidopa and levodopa in Parkinson’s disease treatment.

Various other drugs have been introduced from time to time to mimic the presence of dopamine in the brain causing the neurons to continue sending the correct signals to the limbs and to a certain extent the discomfiture is relieved. However, the introduction of mild electrical shock called the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy has proved to be more useful than normal therapeutic drug for Parkinson’s disease treatment.

Care and caution has to be exercised at the maximum level by the experts giving this therapy since any miscalculation of the requirements or malfunctioning of the equipment may lead to serious complications.
Parkinson’s disease is both chronic and persistent. The disease is chiefly characterized by tremor which in mild compared to the other symptoms.