Parkinson’s Disease - Facts And Symptoms

Facts

• It is a progressive neurological (i.e. the central nervous system) disorder.
• This disease was first described by an English physician James Parkinson in 1817 as shaking palsy.
• It was also once called paralysis agitans.
• It results when the nerve cells found in a certain part of the brain (known as the substantia nigra) are damaged. These cells are responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is an important chemical needed for normal movements.
• Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a severe shortage of dopamine. It is this deficiency that causes the symptoms of the disease.
• The 2 most important types of PD are early-onset and late-onset. Early-onset PD begins before age 50 while late-onset PD starts at 50 and above.
• PD affects different people in different ways. For some, the disease progresses much faster than others and the severity also varies.
• No one is certain what causes this disease though theories do hover around old age, genetics, viral infections, exposure to heavy metals (e.g. aluminum), environmental toxins and the accumulation of free radicals.
• PD is also known as primary parkinsonism in which parkinsonism refers to any condition that exhibits any combination of the disorders seen in PD, e.g. tremors and rigidity.
• What is known as secondary parkinsonism may be caused by :
  • Stroke, encephalitis or meningitis
  • Medications such as tranquilizers and metoclopramide (used for nausea)
  • Carbon monoxide, cyanide and manganese poisoning
  • Use of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)

Symptoms

• Tremors, often seen in hands and arms at rest positions.
• Slower movements, also called bradykinesia (e.g. walking).
• Rigidity (muscles not functioning properly which affects facial muscles as well).
• Having difficulty stopping an action once it commences (e.g. unable to stop after having started walking).
• Poor balance and instability.
• Memory loss and depression.

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