Parkinson’s disease, also called Parkinsonism, is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that causes involuntary movements. The disease is characterized by rigidity and tremors, as well as loss of movement coordination. The majority of cases begin to show their symptoms later in life. However, some experience early symptoms. Early symptoms can be treated with medication. In severe cases, lifestyle changes, combined with medical treatment, are the most effective treatments for Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease progresses through four phases, each of which is characterized by a distinct and disabling disorder of motor function. Each phase has its own set of symptoms. The four stages are: early, intermediate, advanced, and chronic.
Parkinson’s symptoms generally include rigidity, stiffness of muscles, as well as difficulty with balance. Because the disease progresses through the nervous system, an imbalance of chemicals and receptors in the brain are also implicated in the development of Parkinson’s. In most cases, dopamine is the primary chemical involved.
Parkinson’s disease can be divided into two categories based on the predominance of non-motor symptoms in patients. These include predominantly motor symptoms, or Parkinson’s syndrome, and predominantly non-motor symptoms, or Parkinson’s neuromuscular syndrome. Non-motor symptoms include bradykinesia, loss of muscle tone, bradykinesia (loss of muscle coordination), and rigidity. Motor symptoms include rigidity, slowing of movement (slowing of movement down almost to the point of rigidity), and rigidity (favoring of movement over one side). Experts consider the two types of Parkinson’s separate because the symptoms exhibited by patients with Parkinson’s neuromuscular syndrome are sometimes mistaken for Parkinson’s itself.
The use of carbidopa-levodopa (CGP) has been found very effective in treating Parkinson’s symptoms in both types of patients. However, the treatment has its drawbacks, especially when administered during the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. The treatment aims at improving the patient’s motor functions and at the same time reducing the signs of dyskinesia and rigidity. One of the earliest indications that the CGP may not be enough is the fact that it does not produce a ‘catch in position’ which is a common characteristic of Parkinson’s disease.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural supplements that may help ease Parkinson’s symptoms. They are beneficial in relieving pain and relaxing muscles, as well as improving nerve function. Glucosamine is used to treat arthritis and other joint diseases. Glucosamine is made from glycine, a simple sugar found in foods such as nuts, seeds, and cheese. Chondroitin is naturally produced in the body, and the supplement may help ease some of the symptoms of the disease due to its ability to reduce the levels of calcium in the body.
It is important for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease to make regular visits to their doctor. This is to monitor their symptoms and progress. Early diagnosis of the disease can often mean early treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms, and the majority of cases can be treated successfully with lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes include a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. These can help improve balance and co-ordination, as well as reduce stress and increase the mood.
Medication can help to control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The most commonly prescribed medicines are anti-convulsants, which have been shown to ease tremor-like symptoms. Another medication option is gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s. However, these medicines have side effects, and gabapentin should not be taken if you suffer from cardiovascular problems. The only medication proven to treat the entire cause of Parkinson’s disease is provided by antidepressants, and these drugs are only recommended if your depression has become too severe.
Other medications may also be used to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as alosetron, which has been shown to relieve rigidity and improve muscle tone. Fluid therapy has also proved beneficial in some cases, and brincidopa has also been shown to reduce tremor-like symptoms. Doctors may also prescribe neuroleptic drugs such as mesalazine or chlorpromazine. These can work on both patients suffering from Parkinson’s and those having Parkinson’s disease combined. They work by altering chemical messages delivered from the brain to the muscles and have side effects such as dizziness and sweating.
Other treatments which may help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s include light therapy, which helps improve eyesight. Electrical stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation work on the brain’s electrical system. Other possible treatments involve surgery, drug therapy, meditation and yoga. Although the effectiveness of these treatments varies from person to person, they can improve the quality of life and allow patients to continue with their daily activities without fear of symptoms interfering. For example, some people may find that physical therapy can help ease tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease.
Medications such as Tysabri and menthol are also available over the counter, but they do not provide any sort of medical cure for Parkinson’s. Tysabri is used for pain relief, as is menthol oil. Some doctors recommend deep brain stimulation as a means of easing Parkinson’s symptoms, but this procedure can be very expensive and may cause unpleasant side effects. Patients who are experiencing extreme anxiety may also benefit from this procedure. No matter what treatment you choose, the important thing is to be able to talk to your doctor about your Parkinson’s symptoms so that he or she can rule out other causes.
Oren Zarif – Psychokinesis Treatment
