Parkinson’s diseases: Part 2

 

Parkinsosn’s disease: what happens and why?

Parkinson’s disease involves breakage of certain nerve cells or neurons. Many of the symptoms are due to a loss of the neurons that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activities, leading to impaired movements and other symptoms of the parkinson’s disease.

Although the cause of the disease are known, several factors appear to play a role:

1. Genes: study has identified specific genetic mutations that can cause the disease, but these are uncommon except in rare cases with multiple family members affected with parkinson’s disease.

2. Environmental triggers: Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of later development of Parkinson’s disease, but the risk is comparatively small. Among all the changes, a few notable ones are:

1. The presence of Lewy bodies, which are referred to the clumps of specific substances within the brain cells, are markers of Parkinson's disease. Researchers deem these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

2. Alpha-synclein found within the Lewy bodies is one of the most important one among others and is the natural and widespread protein called alpha-synuclein. This is currently an important focus among the researchers of this disease.

Risk factors:

1. Age: Parkinson’s disease ordinarily begins in middle or late life and the risk increases with age and people usually develop it around 60 years or older.

2. Heredity: having a close relative with parkinson’s can increase your chances of developing it. Although the risk is relatively small unless you have multiple close relatives with the same.

3. Sex: Men have a higher chances of developing Parkinson’s than women.

4. Continuous exposure to herbicides and pesticides slightly increase your risk factors as well.

Parkinson’s disease may be accompanied by several other additional problems such as cognitive problems and thinking difficulties; depression and emotional changes, fear, anxiety or loss of motivation, although medication may decrease these. You may also face swallowing problems as your condition progresses; saliva may accumulate in your mouth due to slowed swallowing, resulting in drooling; chewing and eating problems which may lead to choking and poor nutrition.

You may also face sleep problems, which can include waking up frequently through the night or falling asleep during the day. Some people may experience rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which includes acting out your dreams. Parkinson’s usually causes bladder problems which involves being unable to control urine or having difficulty urinating or even constipation.

It is one of those heartbreaking diseases which can destroy many lives. Some research has shown, although not clear- that people who consume caffeine in the form of tea, coffee or cola, get Parkinson's disease less than those who don’t. It is still not known whether caffeine is preventive or is related in some other way. 

It is important to accompany those who are suffering because it is equally hard for them as much as the people around them.

A senior neurosurgeon of international repute with excellent management skills and one of the Best Neurosurgeons in Kolkata, Dr. Kaushik Sil has over 16 years of experience in treating complex Brain and Spine problems like brain tumours, spinal disc prolapse, brain stroke, subdural hematoma, spinal deformity with a special interest in childhood neurosurgical problems like hydrocephalus and spinal birth defects. His simple guidance and high success in treatment rates is immaculate.