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 holds limited or no control over his movements and body balance. 
• It occurs and progresses with ageing, but in rare cases, it is also witnessed among children and teenagers as well. 
• It has no cure.
• 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.
• Symptoms:
  • Tremors (trembling in the hands, arms, legs, and jaw); rigidity (stiffness of the limbs); slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination.
  • Parkinson’s 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.
• Currently, no blood laboratory or radiological tests are available to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. 

 

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Q1: What are neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are often referred to as the body’s chemical messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons, or from neurons to muscles.

Source: Physical activity can help patients with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life: Research