Contents:
- Medical Video: New Parkinson's Disease Treatment
- What is Parkinson's and what are the symptoms that often appear?
- 1. Tremor
- 2. Rigidity
- 3. Bradykinesia or akinesia
- 4. Body imbalance
- Then, what are the causes of Parkinson's disease?
- Can Parkinson's be cured?
- Carbidova-levodopa
- Duopa
- Dopamine agonist
- MAO-B inhibitors
- Anticholinergics
- Amantadine
- What else can be done to deal with Parkinson's?
- 1. Live a healthy diet
- 2. Regular exercise
- 3. Avoid movements that cause falls
Medical Video: New Parkinson's Disease Treatment
At least there are as many as 10 million people who experience Parkinson's in the world. Usually this disease affects the age group above 65 years, but 15% of the total incidence of parkinsonism can be owned by the age group under 50 years. And, men are more likely to be 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson's.
What is Parkinson's and what are the symptoms that often appear?
Parkinson's is a disease that is progressive and damages the nervous system which causes limited motion and impaired locomotion. In early Parkinson's sufferers, the symptoms that may arise are difficult to move the face, so they often do not have expressions. Besides that, maybe without realizing it, when the sufferer walks leisurely, the arm no longer swings as normal people do.
In most people who live with Parkinson's disease, symptoms usually begin with a decrease in motor skills and cannot control the movement of movement and muscle.Here are four main symptoms and signs of Parkinson's disease, namely:
1. Tremor
This symptom is very common in Parkinson's sufferers. Tremor is characterized by movements of the limbs that occur unconsciously, vibrate rhythmically. This symptom begins with one trembling finger, and after a while all fingers will tremble. But not everyone who has Parkinson's disease has tremors.
2. Rigidity
That is a condition in which the muscles feel stiff in the legs and neck. For the most part, people with muscle stiffness cause pain like muscle cramps, but for some others it actually makes a sense of loss or numbness in muscles that experience rigidity.
3. Bradykinesia or akinesia
Similar to rigidity and tremor, bradykinesia and akinesia are also associated with limited limb movements. Bradykinesia is one of the classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which is a delay in movement of the limbs. If Parkinson's disease is not treated properly, then in a few years later it will cause akinesia, or it cannot move the limbs at all and the muscles become stiff.
4. Body imbalance
The ability to balance yourself is reduced, therefore Parkinson's sufferers are very vulnerable to falls.
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Then, what are the causes of Parkinson's disease?
The main cause of Parkinson's disease is that some nerve cells in the brain are damaged or even die. The various symptoms experienced by people with Parkinson's are caused by damaged nerve cells which then reduce dopamine levels, which should keep brain activity normal. So, when dopamine levels decrease, the brain shows abnormal activity that causes Parkinson's symptoms.
Until now, damage to nerve cells that cause Parkinson's disease is not known with certainty. But here are some risk factors for Parkinson's disease:
- Genetics. The researchers stated that in Parkinson's patients there had been a genetic mutation. Even though. Some congenital genes may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.
- Environmental factor. Frequent exposure to poisons or pollution can increase the risk of parkinsonism.
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Can Parkinson's be cured?
Just like diabetes, parkinsonism cannot be cured, but it can be controlled for complications that may arise later on. Some medical measures may be needed when the stages of Parkinson's disease have entered the final stage. But here are medicines that are often given for Parkinson's sufferers:
Carbidova-levodopa
Levodopa is a drug that is considered the most effective for suppressing symptoms and slowing down signs of Parkinson's disease that appears. This drug works like dopamine which is lost in Parkinson's sufferers. Whereas Carbidova is a drug that is combined to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting that can arise due to consuming levodopa. Taking carbidova-levodopa for a long time and with high doses can cause the body's movements to become uncontrolled. Therefore, doctors usually adjust the dose by looking at the side effects that might arise
Duopa
This type of drug is needed by Parkinson's patients who have entered the advanced stage. When levodopa is no longer effective in reducing Parkinson's symptoms that appear, then duopa is the recommended drug to replace it.
Dopamine agonist
Unlike levodopa which replaces the role of dopamine in the body, this dopamine agonist mimics the effects of dopamine on the brain. Although not as effective as levodopa in treating existing symptoms, but dopamine agonist is safer for a long time than levodopa.
MAO-B inhibitors
This drug works by preventing dopamine levels from going down or even disappearing from the brain. Side effects caused by this drug are nausea or insomnia.
Anticholinergics
This drug is used to reduce the level of tremor that occurs in Parkinson's sufferers. While the side effects caused by consuming this drug are hallucinations, constipation or constipation, dry mouth, and rarely urinate.
Amantadine
Amantadine is given to Parkinson's patients with very early to moderate stages and causes side effects such as hallucinations and pain in some joints.
What else can be done to deal with Parkinson's?
Parkinson's disease is incurable, but some of the treatments mentioned earlier can suppress the symptoms that arise and prevent Parkinson's getting worse. Not only that, Parkinson's sufferers also have to change their lifestyle including diet and exercise. Because indirectly this affects the health of Parkinson's patients and is able to reduce the symptoms that arise.
1. Live a healthy diet
Although there are no foods that can cure Parkinson's disease, some foods can relieve symptoms that arise, such as foods that are high in fiber. This food can prevent Parkinson's sufferers from constipation or constipation. Eating healthy foods such as foods that contain high omega 3 fatty acids is very beneficial for Parkinson's sufferers.
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2. Regular exercise
Exercise can increase muscle strength, flexibility, and maintain body balance. Not only that, exercise can also increase stamina, fitness, and reduce levels of depression and anxiety. In Parkinson's patients, exercise is recommended, namely walking relaxed, swimming, or doing aerobic exercise to maintain muscle flexibility.
3. Avoid movements that cause falls
As a result of the ability to decrease imbalances, Parkinson's sufferers are very susceptible to falls. Therefore, if you are walking, do not look down because it risks making you fall. Also, avoid carrying heavy luggage when walking.
