Parkinson’s disease, also called Parkinsonism, is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The disorder results from the destruction of cells in the brain that control motor functions such as walking, writing, eating, swallowing, and other movements of the body. The disease results from the excessive production of dopamine, a chemical substance that provides nerve impulses controlling movement. Dopamine is present in the brain in high levels during normal activity but in low concentrations, while the person is resting. The excessive production of dopamine can therefore result in the movement disorder.
Parkinson’s symptoms can be divided into two main groups: motor and speech. Motor symptoms include rigidity, loss of balance, twitching, slurred speech, uncontrolled movements, tremors, and muscle weakness. The lack of deep brain stimulation leads to poor bowel and urinary control, unable to swallow food properly, and constipation. Parkinson’s symptoms can also include bladder dysfunction and incontinence, as well as difficulty with movement and speech. Speech difficulties include hoarseness, loss of tone, and slowing of speech rate.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms can appear at any age. The disease symptoms will progressively become more severe with time. For example, early symptoms may be hoarseness, twitching, and slowed speech. Over time the motor symptoms will increase in severity until eventually the patient has difficulty walking, has problems with holding onto small objects, cannot swallow food properly, and suffers from bladder and bowel control issues. Some patients also report pain and rigidity. While these symptoms are generally seen only as early Parkinson’s symptoms, some patients later report experiencing loss of memory, changes in mental status, and even partial paralysis.
In addition to the motor symptoms, patients can experience widespread signs of slowing of movement, which can include: drooling, sweating, having tremor, bradykinesia, loss of balance, and slow wave sleep (restless sleep). In some cases, Parkinson’s disease symptoms may overlap with the classic signs of Parkinson’s disease, especially if the patient is experiencing Parkinson’s disease symptoms without having taken the disorder test. In addition, the majority of patients with Parkinson’s disease do not experience all of the classic Parkinson’s disease symptoms, such as: depression, impulsivity, rigidity, and poor hygiene. In many instances, these subtle Parkinson’s disease symptoms are ignored due to their lack of obvious or significant impact on daily life.
Parkinson’s symptoms are divided into two categories. Classic Parkinson’s disease progresses through an intermediary stage between Parkinson’s primary nervous system and the brain. At this point, the disease has advanced to a point where it is referred to as late Parkinson’s disease. In late Parkinson’s disease, the disease progresses through the loss of motor function, including: bladder control, muscle control, and speech.
Because there are not many common symptoms in early Parkinson’s disease, many people assume that the disease is untreatable. However, research has shown that with the right medication treatments, many people with Parkinson’s can significantly improve their quality of life. Because of advances in medication treatments, most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can now live happy and fulfilling lives.
During a physical evaluation, your doctor will ask you to fill out a form listing your symptoms. These forms will then be used to determine which Parkinson’s medications will be the most effective for your specific condition. Based on your medical history and the results of the test, your physician will begin evaluating your condition. The evaluation will involve looking at your brain function to assess levels of dopamine, which is responsible for coordinating brain function; your body chemistry; and, your medical history.
A neurological exam and/or neuropsychological test may also be conducted. In general, you’ll be asked about your medication use, any current or past illnesses, any changes in your lifestyle, and your family medical history. Because your Parkinson’s symptoms may include trembling, rigidity, slowing of movement, or a decrease in muscle tone, you’ll also be asked to fill out questionnaires regarding these symptoms. Additionally, tests such as MRIs, PET scans, or electroencephalogram (EEG) may be conducted to identify regions of improvement or deterioration. By using these tests, your physician will be better able to determine which treatments will most effectively improve your symptoms.
Oren Zarif – Psychokinesis Treatment
