Shedding light on Parkinson’s disease, cause, diagnosis, phenomena, treatment

Parkinson's disease
Someone with Parkinson's disease is most likely to suffer from hands that tremble violently at rest. This is also called tremor. Also, the person's movements slow down. In addition, the person with Parkinson's can develop movement poverty, also known as hypokinesia. This can manifest itself in a mask face (flat facial expression), a monotone voice and a stiff body position. Someone shuffles and takes smaller steps. The upper body leans forward. The person speaks less loudly and clearly, making it more difficult to understand.

Cause
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder. Nerve cells in the brain break down ('black nuclei'). As a result, not enough dopamine is made. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a substance that is required to transfer nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. This lets control of the muscles more difficult. The cause of this breakdown is unknown.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on clinical features, based on anamnesis and neurological examination.

Phenomena

Tremor (trembling)

Rigidity (muscle stiffness)

Hypokinesia (slowness of movement, lack of automatic movements)

Akinesia (difficulty starting movements)

Bradykinesia (slowing of movements)

Freezing (solidifying)

but also: postural problems, falling tendencies, mask face, speech problems, salivation, eye problems, bowel and bladder problems, fatigue, depression.

Treatment
Parkinson's disease cannot be cured.
- drug treatment consists of levodopa and dopamine agonists
- brain surgery
- multidisciplinary treatment (speech therapy, physiotherapy, remedial therapy, occupational therapy and Parkinson's nurse)

Points of attention for practice nurses / nurses:

-Increased risk of falling

-Dementia and Parkinson's disease are common (anticholinergics affect memory functions)

-Depressive complaints

-Hallucinations (caused by illness and medication)

-Constipation complaints

Elderly Loved Ones
If you or someone else in your familiarity is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, you should see if there is a professional Parkinson’s caregiver in your area. If there is not, you can check Elderly Loved Ones, which is a team of professional caregivers who have a specialization in Parkinson's disease and other elderly diseases in their field. Please visit www.elderlylovedones.com now.