Parkinson Disease
Parkinson disease involves the nervous system, specifically, movement and control of muscles. Parkinson disease affects more than 1 million individuals in the United States. Because it is more common in older persons, the incidence (number of new cases) of Parkinson disease is increasing as the population grows older. Parkinson disease was first described in 1817 and was originally called "shaking palsy." Medical researchers later discovered that parkinsonian symptoms were due to degeneration of nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. These cells supply dopamine, a chemical that modulates movement, to other areas of the brain called the basal ganglia. Parkinson disease is progressive and leads to severe limitations in activity and quality of life if the disorder is not treated. Neurologists (doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the nervous system) and neurosurgeons (doctors who specialize in surgery of the nervous system) individualize each person's treatment to manage the symptoms and slow the progress of Parkinson disease.
Rigidity—stiffness of arms, legs, face, and posture
Tremor—shaking of the head, face, arms, legs, and hands; not everyone who has Parkinson disease has a tremor
Slowness of movement—also called bradykinesia
Instability—unstable gait, poor balance
Levodopa (a synthetic medication) replaces dopamine for patients with Parkinson disease, improving symptoms of tremor and rigidity.
Carbidopa helps reduce adverse effects of levodopa and increases the amount of dopamine in the brain (and not in the rest of the body).
Several other medications are available to decrease symptoms or slow the progression of Parkinson disease.
Antidepressants may be prescribed if depression occurs.
Pallidotomy—a probe delivering electrical current is used to create a permanent lesion (scar) in a specific area of the brain (the globus pallidus) to lessen rigidity, tremor, and abnormal movements (dyskinesias).
Thalamotomy—electrical current creates a small, permanent lesion in the area of the brain called the thalamus. This helps reduce tremor and rigidity.
Deep brain stimulation—an electrode is placed into a specific deep brain structure. Electrical current is delivered continuously to control tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia. This requires a small generator (like a heart pacemaker) to be placed under the collarbone.
An operation may help persons with Parkinson disease, especially if medical therapy has failed to slow the disease process or if intolerable adverse effects occur from medications. Because these operations involve the brain, there are significant risks involved. The risks and benefits of surgical therapy should be discussed with a neurologist and neurosurgeon. This type of surgery does not replace medical therapy, but it may lessen the amount and types of medications a patient takes.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
American Parkinson Disease Association
888/400-2732
http://www.apdaparkinson.org
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
800/457-6676
http://www.pdf.org
National Parkinson Foundation
http://www.parkinson.org
Click here to download a copy of this article.
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Janet M. Torpy, MD, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2004;291(3):390. doi:10.1001/jama.291.3.390.
JAMA. 2004;291(3):390. doi:10.1001/jama.291.3.390.
Parkinson disease involves the nervous system, specifically, movement and control of muscles. Parkinson disease affects more than 1 million individuals in the United States. Because it is more common in older persons, the incidence (number of new cases) of Parkinson disease is increasing as the population grows older. Parkinson disease was first described in 1817 and was originally called "shaking palsy." Medical researchers later discovered that parkinsonian symptoms were due to degeneration of nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. These cells supply dopamine, a chemical that modulates movement, to other areas of the brain called the basal ganglia. Parkinson disease is progressive and leads to severe limitations in activity and quality of life if the disorder is not treated. Neurologists (doctors who specialize in treating diseases of the nervous system) and neurosurgeons (doctors who specialize in surgery of the nervous system) individualize each person's treatment to manage the symptoms and slow the progress of Parkinson disease.
SYMPTOMS
MEDICAL TREATMENT
SURGICAL THERAPY
An operation may help persons with Parkinson disease, especially if medical therapy has failed to slow the disease process or if intolerable adverse effects occur from medications. Because these operations involve the brain, there are significant risks involved. The risks and benefits of surgical therapy should be discussed with a neurologist and neurosurgeon. This type of surgery does not replace medical therapy, but it may lessen the amount and types of medications a patient takes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
888/400-2732
http://www.apdaparkinson.org
800/457-6676
http://www.pdf.org
http://www.parkinson.org
Click here to download a copy of this article.
<< Back to article index...
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PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.