Essay about What is Parkinsons Disease - 1415 Words

Introduction Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting primarily the patient’s motor function. The disease is characterized by rigidity, tremor at rest, bradykinesis, and decreased postural reflexes (Bollinger, Cowan, LaFontaine, Ronai, 2012). Parkinson disease was largely documented and brought to the forefront by James Parkinson, who published an article discussing the condition in 1817 (Lees, 2007). While great strides in understanding and treatment have been made, Parkinson disease is still considered an idiopathic disease (Lau Breteler, 2006). Many areas of the disease process have been noted, but no one has been marked as the primary causative process, as well as little has been solidified in diagnostic procedures†¦show more content†¦The substantia nigra is where the neurotransmitter dopamine is made by cells. Neurons between the substantia nigra and the stratum send messages via dopamine. As the cells of the sustantia nigra deteriorate in Parkinsons so d oes the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is necessary for sending messages to other areas of the brain for movement control (Obeso, Rodrà ­guez†Oroz, Benitez†Temino, Blesa, Guridi, Marin, Rodriguez, 2008). The decrease in dopamine production also changes the dopamine to acetylcholine relationship in the brain, which the striatum require to function properly. While the striatum is very complex system which involves signal suppression and enhancement within the brain, the altered ratio of dopamine and acetylcholine can cause some tracts to be under suppressed and over suppressed (Obeso, Rodrà ­guez†Oroz, Benitez†Temino, Blesa, Guridi, Marin, Rodriguez, 2008). The degradation of the cells in the basal ganglia cause is unknown, but many suggest pesticide exposure, serious consecutive brain injury and possible genetic factors. Lewy Bodies Another major component of Parkinson’s is the development of Lewy bodies in degenerating neurons of the brainstem (Wakabayashi, Tanji, Odagiri, Miki, Mori, Takahashi, 2013). These Lewy bodies are formed by alpha-synuclein bodies. These bodies are loosely understood to be protein aggregates that form in the substania nigra primarily but also in other areas of the brain stemShow MoreRelatedParkinson s Disease Is A Motor System Disorder Essay1378 Words   |  6 Pagesmillion people worldwide suffer from Parkinson’s disease. The number of individual’s with Parkinson’s increases by at least sixty thousand per year in America. Although the Parkinson’s disease has been around for thousand of years, it was not officially recognized until 1817 by a Dr. James Parkinson. Dr. James Parkinson clearly stated in his paper An Essay on the Shaking Palsy symptoms of Parkinson’s that are still recognized today as markers for the disease. Even though he wrote that paper in 1817Read MoreEssay about Advances in Parkinson’s Disease1345 Words   |  6 Pagesall affected by one disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Statistics). That disease is Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s takes away little things like movement that many of us take for granted. Lives are changed because of Parkinson’s, but there is hope. Through medical breakthroughs discovered in recent years, my grandpa and many others suffering from Parkinson’s disease have a chance at a better life. History of Parkinson’s Disease Signs or symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have been recordedRead MoreThe Cause of Parkinsons Disease Essay1127 Words   |  5 PagesParkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease is a â€Å"neurodegenerative disorder of the basal nuclei due to insufficient secretion of the neurotransmitter dopamine† (Marieb Hoehn, 2013, p. G-17). The cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, but many factors play a role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. 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For example, in Parkinsons disease the symptoms are caused by the selective loss of a small populationRead More Parkinson’s Disease and Medical Treatment Options Essay1544 Words   |  7 PagesParkinson’s Disease and Medical Treatment Options For many 50 year olds, tasks such as writing or walking can be easily preformed without much attention. In fact, the term â€Å"task† seems to stress that there is a greater level of effort than is truly exerted in order for the average person to perform these actions. However, for a patient of Parkinson’s Disease who is diagnosed on average at the age of 50, these every day activities take a great deal of time, attention, and effort to be preformedRead MoreThe Disease Of Parkinson s Disease1077 Words   |  5 PagesThis paper is limited to Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease was thoroughly researched and will be described in depth including: physiology, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, therapeutic measures, and short vs. long term effects. Keywords: Parkinson’s Disease, dopamine, diagnosis, symptoms Parkinson’s, a Central Nervous System Disorder Since becoming a nursing student I have learned about several diseases and disorders. When hearing the term, â€Å"disease† one might imagine suchRead MoreThe Symptoms and Signs of Parkinson’s Disease650 Words   |  3 PagesParkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that progressively gets worse. The breaking down of certain neurons causes Parkinson’s. Many symptoms are due the lack of dopamine, which is produced by some neurons. It may just start with tremors in one hand but will commonly grow and cause stiff or slow movement. There are no cures for Parkinson’s but there are medications you can take to improve different symptoms. Dealing with Parkinson’s can also be hard on the individual and their familyRead MoreParkinson s Disease As A Medical Condition1437 Words   |  6 PagesParkinson’s disease has been known about since ancient times. In AD 175, the physician Galen described it as â€Å"shaking palsy† in W estern medical literature. It wasn’t until 1817 that a London doctor, named James Parkinson, wrote a detailed medical essay on this disease. This essay established Parkinson’s disease as a recognized medical condition. He based the essay off of six cases he had observed previously and hoped that it would encourage others to study the disease. No such research was performed