To date, the symptoms and signs of Parkinson's disease have already been fully studied, but modern medicine has not yet established the true mechanisms that cause this neurological disorder. For many modern scientists, the highest priority is the search for drugs that could improve the quality of life for patients.
Material Content:
Why does Parkinson's disease occur?
Parkinsonism is neurological in nature and has a rather slow progression. As a rule, the main risk group is elderly people.
The development of this syndrome occurs due to the death in significant parts of the brain of a significant number of nerve cells (neurons), as well as the destruction of nerve fibers.
Modern medicine has made some progress in studying the pathogenesis of this disorder, however, the true mechanisms and causes of Parkinson's disease have not yet been established.
The onset of neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system is preceded by such conditions and pathologies:
- Decrease in the number of neurons and inhibition of dopamine production due to the natural aging of the body.
- Taking a group of drugs that relate to antipsychotics. A side effect may be a process in which the synthesis of dopamine in the central nervous system is disrupted.
- Genetic factor (predisposition).
- An acute or chronic infection of a neurological nature.
- Harmful working conditions, resulting in poisoning of the body with heavy metals, carbon monoxide, pesticides, toxins, free radicals.
- Diseases of the brain in which damage to the basal ganglia occurred.
- Vascular cerebral pathology.
- Others (atherosclerosis, tumor process, thyroid disease, etc.).
Most scientists support the theory that the disease is caused not by one specific cause, but by a combination of negative factors.
Symptoms, signs and clinical presentation
The main manifestation of this pathological condition is a pronounced lesion of motor functions.
Parkinson's syndrome is characterized by constant trembling of the extremities and increased difficulty in performing certain movements, which gave this disease the second name - trembling paralysis.
The main group of symptoms is associated with a loss in the functional ability of neurons and, as a result, a reduced amount of dopamine:
- muscle stiffness appears (muscle tone);
- significantly reduced motor activity;
- it becomes more difficult to maintain balance and move around;
- tremor of limbs occurs;
- mental disorders, cognitive disorders, emotional changes are observed;
- orthostatic hypotension occurs (as a result, dizziness or fainting);
- intestinal motility is impaired.
Other characteristic symptoms are the result of major disorders: difficulties with eating, disturbance in the speech apparatus, stiffness of movements, pain, muscle cramps, fatigue.
It is worth noting that the disease is characterized by individual symptoms. For this reason, some symptoms may be more pronounced, while others may be vice versa.
How does the disease develop?
In 1967, a gradation of the stages of Parkinson's disease was proposed, which reflects the progression of symptoms.
- The initial stage is characterized by a unilateral character, since only one limb is affected.
- The second stage proceeds with severe tremor, impaired functioning of both limbs and facial expressions. Later, problems associated with motor activity and the speech apparatus are growing.
- At the third stage, the patient experiences difficulties with fine motor skills, he has physical and psychological instability.
- The penultimate stage is characterized by problems with coordination, dementia is possible.
- The fifth stage is disability, the impossibility of independent movement.
Methods of treating the disease
The main task of symptomatic therapy is the prolonged preservation of motor activity. Drug treatment of Parkinson's disease is effective and is used only in the first stage. But neurostimulation and non-traditional methods of treatment are also used.
Drug therapy
Medicines are prescribed in accordance with the stage of development of the disease.
As a rule, the following medications are prescribed to patients:
- Levodopa
- Madopar
- Miralex
- Midokalm,
- MAO inhibitors
- and others.
Most of them are combined medicines.
Good results are also observed after the use of neuroprotectors and antioxidants. Chemical therapy aims to replenish the black substance. Other drugs include drugs that eliminate vegetative disorders, problems with sleep and memory.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention contributes to the almost complete elimination of hypokinesia (impaired motor activity). The essence of neurostimulation is the implantation of a brain stimulator. This method is in demand with the ineffectiveness of drug treatment and the deterioration of the patient's condition.During the operation, they pointly apply electric current to certain areas of the brain. Deep brain electrical stimulation reduces the need for drug treatment and allows you to effectively control the disease.
Alternative methods of treatment
Alternative methods of treating a patient with Parkinson's syndrome should be only additional, but not alternative.
The effect of this method of therapy is aimed at improving the condition. Patients often experience insomnia and sleep problems, so it is recommended to take herbal teas with sage, mint, chamomile and thyme. Another useful method is the foot baths with fern - they help to relax the muscles and reduce tremor.
The prognosis for patients
The forecast belongs to the category of conditionally unfavorable, since this violation tends to progress steadily. It is worth noting that in any case, life expectancy in Parkinson's disease is slightly reduced. And also, as the severity of symptoms develops, the quality of life deteriorates significantly, many skills and the level of working capacity are irreversibly lost. But thanks to the development of medicine, now patients with a similar diagnosis will be able to lead an active lifestyle for at least 15 years, and only then will they need outside care.
The immediate lethal outcome is observed as a result of not the disease itself, but the accompanying complications - disorders of the cardiovascular system, pneumonia and other diseases. If the patient will comply with all the instructions of the attending physician and fulfill certain requirements, he will be able to be not only almost completely independent in household items, but also a specialist in demand in any field.
However, the outcome is not always positive. In the absence of adequate and proper treatment, failure to comply with the doctor’s basic instructions, after 8 years, the ability to self-service will be lost, and after 10 years the patient will be completely bedridden. And these changes will be irreversible.
Depending on how severe the symptoms of a neurological lesion are, patients are assigned a disability group.
What can be the complications
Given that the disease is characterized by serious disorders on the part of many body systems, the patient develops many complications over time. Often there are mental problems, a complete loss of self-care ability, disability.
Can Parkinson's Disease Be Cured?
Unfortunately, the pathological condition under discussion is incurable. The developed therapeutic therapeutic measures are aimed, first of all, at reducing the severity of symptoms, prolonging and improving the quality of life.
Preventive measures
Today, certain specific preventive measures and preventing the progression of this violation do not exist. However, it should be noted that a person can significantly reduce the risk of its occurrence.
- It is necessary to lead a fairly active lifestyle or try to maintain physical activity. This condition is extremely important for the elderly, since weakening of muscle activity due to a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase the risk of developing parkinsonism.
- Regular brain training should be performed. Such actions that are aimed at preventing Parkinson's disease will also help prevent the progression of another equally dangerous disorder - Alzheimer's disease. To do this, it is enough to solve crosswords, solve mathematical or logical problems, play board games, train memory.
- Upon reaching a certain age, you should regularly visit a neurologist and undergo preventive examinations.
- Use antipsychotics only as prescribed by your doctor.Self-administration of these medications can lead to serious consequences for the nervous system and cause irreversible consequences.
Parkinsonism is an extremely serious neurological disease. Only timely diagnosis and immediate treatment will allow the patient to maintain a normal lifestyle for a rather long time.
