Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Management

DEFINITION: Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder affecting movement.

MAIN CAUSE:

Symptoms are caused by a deficiency of a chemical in the brain called Dopamine, why it happens, nobody knows.

SPECIFIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

• Tremor (shaking usually occurs on one side of the body, often in the hand or finger)
• Rigidity (stiffness and the limbs feel like lead)
• Akinesia (difficulty in initiating movement and slowness of movement)
• Problems with balance.

Other symptoms include:

• Masked expression of the face
• Pill rolling effect of the hands

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT:

• Refer to doctor/Clinic
• Support with daily hygiene
• Emotional support
• Stick to prescribed medication regimen

COMPLICATIONS:

• Loss of indepedence