Know The Ins And Outs Of Parkinson's Disease

By Karen Rettich

Most people became aware of Parkinson’s disease through Michael J. Fox who was diagnosed in 1991 but Parkinson’s has been around for nearly 200 years.  The disease is named after James Parkinson; an English physician who was the first to document extensively the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease terming it “shaking palsy”.       

Parkinson’s disease today is known as a chronic progressive disease characterized by tremors, slowness in movement, stiffness in arms, legs or chest area and trouble with balance.  These symptoms are caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain.  Think of dopamine as an electrical current.  It sends messages within your brain that coordinates movement.  Just like an electric current in your home helps you run your dishwasher or your air conditioner.  If the wires get crossed your appliances won’t work.  So when dopamine isn’t being produced the signals aren’t getting where they need to be to keep our movements fluid and coordinated. 

The cause of the lack of dopamine is still unknown.  A very small percentage of patients have been found they have a genetic link but Parkinson’s has not been classified as a genetic disorder.    

Parkinson’s does not have a cure.  There are treatments to help manage the symptoms of the disease.  Medications can be used.  Some medications mimic the action of dopamine on the brain, these are called dopamine agonists.  There are dopamine replacement medications which act to replace the dopamine that is no longer being produced, such as Levo-dopa.  There is also deep brain stimulation which is a surgical procedure where a thin electrode is implanted in the brain, basically stimulating the motor circuits (your wiring) that aren’t functioning.  This procedure is not right for every patient and is contraindicated in patients who also have dementia.    

Dyskinesia and dystonia are two terms used in association with Parkinson’s.  Dyskinesia is a side effect of the drug Levo-dopa, a side effect which can be just as trying for the patient as the disease.  It causes small involuntary movements.  It is most often seen in patients who are younger in age.  Dystonia is also an involuntary movement but it is a contraction of the whole body or one area of the body.  This can be a condition completely separate from Parkinson but because it is associated with a loss of dopamine it is widely common in Parkinson patients.    

Parkinson’s disease is a challenge for patients and caregivers.  It can become difficult to manage the care of a person with Parkinson’s if good support systems aren’t in place.  It is important to reach out to physicians and other medical personal for assistance.  There are support groups and many websites with helpful information on everything from treatments to personal care and research.    

The following websites provided much of the information in this article: www.michaeljfox.org   www.pdf.org   For further information please contact the Berlin VNA at 860-828-7030