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Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the portion of the brain called the Substantia nigra that manufactures a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, called dopamine. Dopamine allows nerve impulses to travel smoothly from one nerve cell to another. The nerve cells in turn, transmit messages to the muscles. The reduced level of dopamine results in the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is clinically characterized by the following motor symptoms:
Resting tremor (shaking back and forth when the limb is relaxed)
Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
Muscle stiffness or rigidity (resistance of the limb to passive movement)
Difficulty with walking and impaired balance,
Other motor symptoms symptoms include:
- Micrographia (smaller handwriting)
- Hypophonia (softening of the voice)
- Hypomimia (mask-like face with little expression)
- Shuffling gait
- Freezing (temporary loss of movement)
- Dystonia (sustained contraction of muscles)
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Stooped posture
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Constipation
- Excessive sweating
- Saliva control difficulties
- Sleep disturbance
- Bladder dysfunction
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory problems
Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Dementia
- Fatigue
- Pain
Parkinson’s disease Facts
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative illness of the brain that causes the slow but dramatic deterioration of motor functions over time.
More than 9,000 Albertans and 100,000 Canadians are affected by Parkinson’s disease; this number is expected to double by 2016.
Parkinson’s disease affects men and women from all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds. This disease is neither contagious nor a natural part of aging.
Parkinson’s disease can affect people as young as 30 or 40; however, the average age of onset is 56.
The disease is named after Dr. James Parkinson, a British doctor who described the disease in an essay, Essay on the Shaking Palsy, published in 1817.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the portion of the brain called the Substantia nigra that manufactures a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, called dopamine. Dopamine allows nerve impulses to travel smoothly from one nerve cell to another. The nerve cells in turn, transmit messages to the muscles. The reduced level of dopamine results in the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can include tremors, slowness and stiffness, impaired balance, rigidity of the muscles, fatigue, soft speech, writing problems, stooped posture, constipation and sleep disturbance. Many have difficulty walking, talking, and/or swallowing.
Non motor symptoms can include depression, anxiety, psychosis, dementia, and memory problems.
There is no known cure. Treatment for controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is through medication and other therapies.
The estimated cost of Parkinson’s medications for the typical Canadian patient is $1,000 every month.
The symptoms and complications of Parkinson's can have a profound impact on the family, friends and caregiver of someone with Parkinson’s. The deterioration of health can affect family relationships, family’s quality of life and finances.
