ABOUT THE DISEASE

Parkinson`s is a chronic neurological disease that affects nerve cells (neurons) in an area of the brain near the neck, known as the substantia nigra. These nerve cells that make a chemical called dopamine normally send signals that help coordinate movements and get slowly destroyed in this disease. It progressively gets worse with time.

SYMPTOMS

• Tremors (more while resting)
• Constipation
• Extra saliva
• Mask like face
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Jerky / stiff movements
• Handwriting changes
• Frequent falls
• Slow speech
• Depression
• Memory loss

CAUSES

Men over 60 are more likely to get this disease compared to women. There is increasing evidence that this is an inherited disease. Parkinsonism may also be caused by other disorders (secondary parkinsonism) or certain medications.

DIAGNOSIS

- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Scan (CT/MRI), to rule out other disorders.

TREATMENT METHODS

Medications:

• - Levodopa
• - Carbidopa
• - Pramipexole
• - Ropinirole
• - Bromocriptine
• - Selegiline
• - Rasagiline
• - Amantadine

In severe cases a surgical option can be considered:

• - Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

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