Parkinson’s disease affects not only individuals, but also families and communities. Raising awareness, creating support systems and contributing to scientific research are important steps in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Increasing public awareness about this disease is vital for early diagnosis and effective management.
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is a disease that occurs especially in middle age and older people. “What is Parkinson’s disease?” We can give the following answer to the question:
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that often causes significant effects on motor skills, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement and balance problems. This disease occurs due to the loss of nerve cells in the brain and especially the deficiency of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in the brain become damaged or lost over time. This situation causes a decrease in dopamine production and therefore impairment of motor control.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Although the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is not yet fully known, it is thought to occur as a result of the interaction of a number of factors. Parkinson’s is generally accepted to be a multifactorial disease. In other words, genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors can come together to trigger the disease. Potential causes of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Parkinson’s disease is believed to have a genetic component.
- Individuals with a family history of Parkinson’s disease are more likely to have a genetic predisposition.
- It is thought that various environmental factors, especially long-term exposures, may play a role in the emergence of Parkinson’s disease.
- Inflammatory processes in the body can damage nerve cells. It is thought that inflammation may contribute to the onset or progression of Parkinson’s disease.
- Damage to mitochondria, which are responsible for cells’ energy production, has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.
- It has been observed that a particular protein accumulates abnormally in the brains of Parkinson’s patients.
Parkinson’s disease may occur as a result of a complex interaction of these factors. However, each patient is different and the specific factors affecting the development of the disease may vary from individual to individual. Ongoing research is ongoing to understand the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that usually begins in middle age or older and has significant effects on motor skills. Parkinson’s symptoms may develop over time and vary from person to person. The question “What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s?” can be answered as follows:
- Involuntary tremor that usually occurs in the hands, fingers or the part between the thumb and index finger.
- Feeling of stiffness and tension in the muscles.
- Movements become slower or more difficult.
- People’s daily activities, especially fine motor skills, may be affected.
- As Parkinson’s disease progresses, balance problems may occur.
- The ability to walk and maintain balance may become difficult.
- People may tend to stand in a forward-leaning posture.
- Facial expressions may appear less flexible or emotional.
- Parkinson’s patients may experience a condition called “micrographia” that makes writing small and difficult to read.
- A decrease in speech rate, a monotonous tone of voice, and significant pauses between words may be observed.
- Non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, loss of smell, and constipation may also be observed.
Is there a cure for Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, there is a treatment for Parkinson’s, but no definitive treatment or method of stopping the disease completely has been developed so far. Treatment usually aims to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Parkinson’s treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach.
how is Parkinson’s disease treated?
There is no definitive treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but symptoms can be controlled and the progression of the disease can be slowed down with medication and surgical treatments. Parkinson’s disease treatment involves a multidisciplinary method. In addition to the medications prescribed by the doctor in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, surgical intervention may be required in some cases.
Surgical treatment may be required in patients who do not respond to drug treatment of Parkinson’s disease or have side effects. In surgical treatment, a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS) is applied to the brain. In this operation, electrical impulses are sent to the areas of the brain that control movement. These stimulations help improve movement. Other surgical treatment options include using gene therapy or stem cell therapy. However, these treatments are still in the early research phase.
Some foods may worsen symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, it is important to avoid certain foods and follow a healthy diet. In addition, lifestyle changes such as managing stress, regular exercise and adequate sleep can also positively affect the course of the disease. The aim of Parkinson’s disease treatment is to improve patients’ quality of life and slow the progression of the disease.