Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease (pronounced: pahr-kin-suhnz dih-zeez) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra.
Etymology
The disease was first described in 1817 by British physician James Parkinson in his work "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy". The term "Parkinson's Disease" was later coined by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in the mid-19th century.
Symptoms
Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. The progression of symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease. People with PD may experience:
- Tremor: Mainly at rest and described as pill rolling tremor in hands. Other forms of tremor are possible
- Bradykinesia: Slowness of voluntary movement
- Rigidity: Stiffness of the limbs and trunk
- Postural instability: Impaired balance and coordination
Causes
The cause remains largely unknown. Although there is no cure, treatment options vary and include medications and surgery. While Parkinson's itself is not fatal, disease complications can be serious.
Treatment
Treatment for Parkinson's disease is based on each person's individual symptoms and can include medication, surgery, lifestyle modifications (like increasing physical activity, getting more rest, and eating a healthy diet), and more.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Parkinson's Disease
- Wikipedia's article - Parkinson's Disease
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