Parkinsons Disorder
Stephen Taft
What is Parkinsons?
Parkinson's is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors.
Risk Factors
Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's. Parkinson's often starts with a tremor in one hand. Other symptoms are slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance.
Symtoms
Difficulty standing, difficulty walking, difficulty with bodily movements, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, problems with coordination, rhythmic muscle contractions, slow bodily movement, and stiff muscles.
Treatment and Prognosis
Parkinson's cannot be cured, but there is treatment in order to help. According to the NPF (National Parkinsons Foundation) Treatments include medication and surgical therapy. Other treatments include lifestyle modifications like getting more rest and more exercise.
Cause
Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by low and falling dopamine levels. A person with Parkinson's has abnormally low dopamine levels. Dopamine-generating cells, known as dopaminergic neurons (types of nerve cells) in the substantia nigra part of the brain have died. Experts do not know why these cells die.
History of Parkinsons
Originally called shaking palsy, Parkinsons was discovered in 1817 by Doctor James Parkinson of London. It was not until the 1960s when research became more advanced and there was still no cure. Some people you may know that have parkinsons are, Micheal J fox and Muhammad Ali, and Johnny Cash.