Parkinson's Disease STUDY GUIDE TIPS, Summaries of Nursing

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Parkinson's

Disease STUDY

GUIDE TIPS

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Parkinson's disease was first characterized extensively by an English doctor, James Parkinson, in 1817. Described as early as 5000 B.C. in the Indian Ayurvedic medicinal tradition and in the Nei Jing, the first Chinese medical text 2500 years ago, Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer disease.

SYMPTOM

S

Parkinson's disease symptoms and signs may vary from person to person. Early signs may be mild and may go unnoticed. The Primary Symptoms include: Tremors - Trembling in fingers, hands, arms, feet, legs, jaw, or head. Tremors most often occur while the individual is resting, but not while involved in a task. Rigidity - Stiffness of the limbs and trunk, which may increase during movement. Rigidity may produce muscle aches

and pain.

a diminished or absent arm swing.

Some of the secondary symptoms include: Anxiety, insecurity, and stress Confusion, memory loss, and dementia Constipation

SYMPTOM

S

Increased sweating Male erectile dysfunction Skin Change in handwriting problems Slowed, quieter speech, and Depression Difficulty swallowing and excessive salivation

STAGES OF PARKINSON’S

DStaIgSeE 1 A: SE

During this initial stage, the person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. Friends and family may notice changes in posture, walking and facial expressions. Stage 2: In stage two of Parkinson’s, the symptoms start getting worse. Tremor, rigidity and other movement symptoms affect both sides of the body. Walking problems and poor posture may

become apparent. In this stage, the person is still able to live alone, but completing day-to-day tasks becomes more difficult and may take longer.

make it impossible to stand or walk. The person requires a wheelchair. Around-the-clock nursing

CAUSES

CAUSES

Parkinson's disease results from the loss of cells in various parts of the brain, including a region called the substantia nigra. The substantia nigra cells produce dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain that allow for coordination of movement. The substantia nigra contains neuronomelanin, pigment cells, which synapse to cells of the striatum. The striatum is responsible for balance, control of movements, and walking. Dopamine, produced in the substantia nigra, passes messages between the striatum and the substantia nigra. When the cells of the substantia nigra deteriorate there is a corresponding decrease in the amount of dopamine produced between these cells.

Loss of dopamine causes neurons to fire without normal control, leaving patients less able to direct or control their movement.

It's not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with Parkinson's disease occurs, although research is ongoing to identify potential causes.