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Pakinson Disease
Pakinson Disease
Parkinson's disease occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain die or
become impaired. Although many brain areas are affected, the most common
symptoms result from the loss of neurons in an area near the base of the brain called
the substantia nigra. Normally, the neurons in this area produce an important brain
chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine acts as a chemical messenger responsible
transmitting signals between the substantia nigra and the next "relay station" of the
brain, the corpus striatum in order to produce smooth and purposeful movement.
Loss of dopamine results in abnormal nerve firing patterns within the brain that cause
movements to become slow and abnormal. Most people with Parkinson's disease
have lost 60 to 80 percent or more of the dopamine producing cells in the substantia
nigra by the time symptoms appear, and people with Parkinson’s disease also will
loss of the nerve endings that produce the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine closely related to dopamine. It is the main chemical messenger of the
sympathetic nervous system which the part of the nervous system that controls many
automatic functions of the body, such as pulse and blood pressure. The loss of
norepinephrine might explain several of the non-motor features seen in Parkinson’s
disease, including fatigue and abnormalities of blood pressure regulation.
The precise cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, although some cases of
Parkinson’s disease are hereditary and can be traced to specific genetic mutations.
Most cases are sporadic which the disease does not typically run in families. It is
thought that Parkinson’s disease likely results from a combination of genetic
susceptibility. Next, the causes is come from the environmental triggers. Exposure to
certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of later Parkinson's
disease, but the risk is relatively small (Anthony H.V.Schapira. 2010).
There are four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Firstly, the tremor
associated with Parkinson’s disease has a characteristic appearance. Typically, the
tremor takes the form of a rhythmic back-and-forth motion at a rate of 4-6 beats per
second. It may involve the thumb and forefinger and appear as a "pill rolling" tremor.
Tremor often begins in a hand, although sometimes a foot or the jaw is affected first.
It is most obvious when the hand is at rest or when a person is under stress. Tremor
usually disappears during sleep or improves with intentional movement. It is usually
the first symptom that causes people to seek medical attention. Secondly, rigidity is a
resistance to movement, affects most people with Parkinson’s disease. The muscles
remain constantly tense and contracted so that the person aches or feels stiff. The
rigidity becomes obvious when another person tries to move the individual's arm,
which will move only in ratchet-like or short, jerky movements known as "cogwheel"
rigidity. Thirdly, is a bradykinesia. This slowing down of spontaneous and automatic
movement is particularly frustrating because it may make simple tasks difficult. The
person cannot rapidly perform routine movements. Activities once performed quickly
and easily such as washing or dressing that may take much longer. There is often a
decrease in facial expressions. Lastly, the symptom of Parkinson’s disease is
postural instability or impaired balance, causes affected individuals to fall easily
(Stewart A. Factor, William J. Weiner. 2008).
Lastly, deep brain stimulation (DBS) was use for some cases in order to cure
the pakinson’s disease. This surgery is a surgical procedure to implant a pacemaker-
like device that sends electrical signals to brain areas responsible for body
movement (Wendy Henderson. 2018). Electrodes are placed in a specific area of the
brain usually the subthalamic nucleus depending on the symptoms being treated.
The electrodes are placed on both the left and right sides of the brain through small
holes made at the top of the skull. The electrodes are connected by long extension
wires that are passed under the skin and down the neck to a battery-powered
stimulator under the skin of the chest. When turned on, the stimulator sends electrical
pulses to block the faulty nerve signals causing tremors, rigidity, and other
symptoms. (Wendy Henderson. 2018).
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