Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that is considered a progressive disorder of the nervous system. This condition often begins with a slight tremor or tremble in the hand and eventually progresses to a state of uncontrollable movements that will eventually become slowed or frozen. Parkinson’s disease is most often noticed by friends of family members who recognize speech impediments, slowed movements or lack of movements that the individual may or may not recognize on their own.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
There are numerous symptoms of Parkinson’s disease including tremor and trembling. Parkinson’s disease symptoms typically progress and get worse as the disease progresses and can lead to dementia as well as many other problems for the affected individual. Parkinson’s disease symptoms may resemble stiffness in the body and people who have the condition may feel pain in the limbs.
Over time, the motion and movements of the affected individual may slow. Voluntary movement may be impossible for the person with Parkinson’s disease to initiate. Simple tasks such as walking can become very difficult for the individual. Steps may become very short or the individual may shuffle rather than take full steps and the feet may freeze or fell stuck to the floor.
The posture and balance of people with Parkinson’s disease will ultimately suffer. Parkinson’s disease causes an individual to stoop or slouch and balance problems can occur. In most cases, the most severe balance problems do not occur until the later stages of Parkinson’s disease. Automatic movements such as blinking, smiling and moving the arms when walking may all diminish or be completely lost as Parkinson’s disease progresses.
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease has no known cure but there are medications that can at least slow the progression of the disease. In some cases, surgery may be a viable option for people with Parkinson’s disease. Lifestyle changes, physical therapy and occupational therapy may all be prescribed for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Medications can help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as effects that the disease has on movement, tremor and walking by increasing supplies of dopamine to the brain. Over time, some medications can work to diminish the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for some people. The most common types of medication that are used to treat the symptoms or the progression of Parkinson’s include Levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO B inhibitors, catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, anticholinergics and glutamate (NDMA) blocking drugs.
Physical therapy may be of great benefit for people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Physical therapy can help to improve the overall function of the individual and to improve mobility so that the individual with the Parkinson’s disease can have a full range of motion. Physical therapy will also work to increase muscle tone and reduce the effects that Parkinson’s disease has on the deterioration of movement.
Physical therapy is also an excellent treatment option for the loss of balance that often accompanies Parkinson’s disease as the disease progresses. A physical therapist can help the individual to perform exercises that will allow them to feel more confident and capable of performing routine tasks or movements such as walking on their own.
Surgery may be used to treat Parkinson’s disease as well. Surgery that stimulates the brain by implanting an electrode into the parts of the brain that control movement may help to eliminate or slow the effects of Parkinson’s disease for some people. The amount of stimulation that is delivered from the electrode into the brain is controlled by a device that is similar to a pacemaker and is placed just under the skin on the chest.
Surgery for Parkinson’s disease is usually reserved as a final resort and is most often administered for those who have progressed to the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease. Over time, responses to certain medications such as Levodopa may become unstable and there may be a need to provide additional treatment in the form of surgery. For people with Parkinson’s disease surgery can offer great benefits in reducing tremor and involuntary movements.
Occupational therapy may also be provided for people with Parkinson’s disease. Occupational therapy focuses on helping people with the disease to learn new ways to perform their routine tasks despite hurdles associated with the Parkinson’s disease. Occupational therapists may work with physical therapists to provide a treatment plan that can help a person suffering from Parkinson’s disease to live independently even though they suffer from a serious medical condition.
Occupational therapy may also be required to help an individual with Parkinson’s disease to learn new ways to turn, move or otherwise perform daily tasks. Reaching for an item may become difficult with Parkinson’s disease and walking can be a complete chore but with the help and treatment of occupational therapists, physical therapists and doctors people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease can live functional lives for quite some time before they begin to have to rely on a wheelchair for mobility or to rely on a loved one for complete care.
