PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinson's Disease (PD)

is a neurodegenerative and movement disorder characterized mostly by tremor and impaired muscular degeneration.

It is a condition in which part of the brain become progressively damaged causing some of the nerve cells in the brain not producing enough of a chemical (neurotransmitter) called Dopamine.

Parkinson's Disease arise due to damage or loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called substantia nigra. This leads to the reduction of a chemical called Dopamine in the brain.

This condition may be triggered by genetic or environmental factors.

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Dopamine

Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter used to send signals to other nerve cells within the brain and body. This makes it crucial in the coordination of other body parts such as the senses and muscles which the nerve cells are connected to.
Dopamine acts as a messenger between the substantia nigra and corpus striatum to ensure the smooth, controlled movement of the body.

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SYMPTOMS
The following are the most common symptoms that are noticed in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease especially the first one.

• Tremor - Involuntary shaking of certain parts of the body especially hands.
• Slow movement
• Stiff and inflexible muscles (even in the jaw)
  Others include
• Memory problem
• Insomnia
• Poor balance and coordination
• Anxiety, Depression

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Here's is a really interesting one!

From the meme above, it shows that the Doctor is making fun of the patient knowing the hands of the patient do shake involuntarily and in a way, the patient would shake the medicine before its usage.

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TREATMENT
Currently, there is no cure to Parkinson's Disease but certain treatment could help in managing and reducing its effect and symptoms.

• Physiotherapy
• Medications
  and in some cases
• Brain surgery
  DBS, Deep Brain Stimulation is the surgical implantation of electrodes in the brain that will help send electrical pulses to help stimulate the part of the brain that controls movement.

REFERENCES
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/definition/con-20028488
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_disease
http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-warning-signs
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/default.htm
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/tc/parkinsons-disease-topic-overview
http://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/article.htm#what_genes_are_linked_to_parkinsons_disease
https://medlineplus.gov/parkinsonsdisease.html
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Parkinsons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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