What is Parkinson’s Disease?

About Parkinson’s Disease:

• It is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. 
• It is a condition in which a patient has limited or no control over his movements andbody balance. 
• The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease naturally increases with age, and the average age at which it starts is 60 years old.
• Many studies have suggested that men are more likely to be affected by Parkinson’s than women.
• Cause:
  • It is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement.
  • These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.
  • Dopamine operates with other neurotransmitters to help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in the movement.
  • Lack of dopamine causes the slowed movements and tremors symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
• Symptoms:
  • Parkinson's disease symptoms can be different for everyone.
  • Early symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed.
  • Symptoms often begin on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side.
  • Parkinson's symptoms may include:
    • Tremors (trembling in the hands, arms, legs, and jaw); rigidity (stiffness of the limbs); slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination.
    • Patients may also experience other symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking, urinary problems, constipation, skin problems, depression, emotional changes, and sleep disruption.
    • Diagnosis: Currently, no blood laboratory or radiological tests are available to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. 
    • Treatment: There's no cure for this disease, but treatments can help significantly improve your symptoms.

Q1: What is the nervous system? 

The nervous system is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body. It is the center of all mental activity including thought, learning, and memory. Together with the endocrine system, the nervous system is responsible for regulating and maintaining homeostasis. Through its receptors, the nervous system keeps us in touch with our environment, both external and internal.

Source: Higher-than-expected rate of gene mutations seen in Parkinson’s patients: researchers