Parkinson's disease (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Prevention of Parkinson's disease== | ==Prevention of Parkinson's disease== | ||
Because the cause is not clear now, the preventive measurement for Parkinson's disease is | Because the cause is not clear now, the preventive measurement for Parkinson's disease is unknown. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Revision as of 13:33, 18 March 2010
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
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What is Parkinson's disease?
How do I know if I have Parkinson's disease and what are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary with each individual and the stage of Parkinson's disease. In the early course, Parkinson's disease does not have any symptoms. As the disease developes, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Tremor: Tremor is one of the most common signs of Parkinson's disease. It often affects in a hand, arm, or leg. It occurs when the person is awake and sitting or standing still, and subsides when the person moves the affected body part.
- Rigidity: Muscle stiffness often occurs in the limbs and neck. Later, the patient can not move an arm or leg normally and feel pain in the limb.
- Masked face: This appearance is cause by loss of movement in the muscles in the face. Patients with Parkinson's disease may feel it difficult to speak and swallow.
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and impaired balance: In the later course of the disease, patients with Parkinson's disease are likely to take small steps and shuffle with the feet close together. They also have trouble in turning around and keeping balance. These abnormities may result in frequent falls.
- Freezing
- Constipation
- Dementia
Who is at risk for Parkinson's disease?
The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Many researchers believe that a combination of several factors is involved in the development of this disease.
- Free radicals
- Aging
- Environmental toxins
- Genetic predisposition
How to know you have Parkinson's disease?
- Meidcal history, physical examination and neurological evaluation: Tremor is usually the symptom that causes people to seek medical help.
- Blood tests: These tests include the check of thyroid function, liver function, kidney function, glucose levels, even the presence of any toxins. The goal of the lab tests may help doctors exclude other diseases that may cause similar symptoms to Parkinson's disease.
- Imaging studies such as head CT (computerized axial tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): These images can also be used to help doctors exclude other brain diseases that may cause similar symptoms to Parkinson's disease, such as stroke or brain tumor.
- Positron emission computerized tomography (PET): This image is only used in experiment. It may detect low levels of dopamine in the brain, a key feature of Parkinson's disease.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Parkinson's disease?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Parkinson's disease
Prevention of Parkinson's disease
Because the cause is not clear now, the preventive measurement for Parkinson's disease is unknown.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/parkinsonsdisease/toc.html
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/default.htm
http://www.neurologychannel.com/parkinsonsdisease/index.shtml