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Description of disease:

Parkinson's disease is a disease of the brain that causes muscle stiffness, tremors, walking and balance problems. The first signs of the disease appear usually between the ages of 50-65 but the causes of the disease and successful treatment are still unknown. Parkinson's disease leads to a slow atrophy of cells that contain melanin and reduction of dopamine levels which is responsible for transporting information among nerves. Low levels of dopamine are a main reason for symptoms appearance: hand and feet tremor, muscle stiffness that makes walking and moving problematic. Other symptoms include: face mimicry problems, slow and distorted speech, the more disease progresses, the symptoms become more problematic, talking and walking is a challenge for an ill person.

In order to diagnose the disease doctors prescribe basic blood tests, computed tomography or magnetic resonance of the head and examine movements, mental state and intellectual abilities of the patient. The first stage of the treatment involves giving drugs that slow down biochemical disorders development. When the disease progresses the treatment includes drugs that stimulate the release of dopamine from nerve endings. The dose of medication must be slowly raised with time and it can cause several side effects: nausea, vomiting and heart beat disorders.

A transplantation of fetal cells that produce dopamine is a new method of treatment but it is also highly controversial since these cells are taken from human fetus.

Symptoms:


balance problems
muscle weakness
muscular rigidity
sensory disorders
Speaking disorders
tremors
walking problems



Research:


Computed tomography
Magnetic resonance



Doctors :


ENT specialist


Geriatrician





Added by: mary not connected with health care system
Added on: 2008-05-19 13:40:41 , Updated: 2008-05-19 13:47:09
Bibliography: Visalli, G. Guide to Medical Cures and Treatments, 1996

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