Which of the following is common with Parkinsons disease?
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Support groupsFrom other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. Nerve cells in this part of the brain are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine acts as a messenger between the parts of the brain and nervous system that help control and co-ordinate body movements. If these nerve cells die or become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced. This
means the part of the brain controlling movement cannot work as well as normal, causing movements to become slow and abnormal. The loss of nerve cells is a slow process. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually only start to develop when around 80% of the nerve cells in the substantia nigra have been lost. What causes the loss of nerve cells?It's not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with Parkinson's disease occurs, although research is ongoing to identify potential causes. Currently, it's believed a combination of genetic changes and environmental factors may be responsible for the condition. GeneticsA number of genetic factors have been shown to increase a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease, although exactly how these make some people more susceptible to the condition is unclear. Parkinson's disease can run in families as a result of faulty genes being passed to a child by their parents. But it's rare for the disease to be inherited this way. Environmental factorsSome researchers also feel environmental factors may increase a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease. It's been suggested that pesticides and herbicides used in farming and traffic or industrial pollution may contribute to the condition. But the evidence linking environmental factors to Parkinson's disease is inconclusive. Other causes of parkinsonism"Parkinsonism" is the umbrella term used to describe the symptoms of tremors, muscle rigidity and slowness of movement. Parkinson's disease is the most common type of parkinsonism, but there are also some rarer types where a specific cause can be identified. These include parkinsonism caused by:
You can read more about parkinsonism on the Parkinson's UK website. Page last reviewed: 30 April 2019 What are the 4 major symptoms of Parkinson's disease?Parkinson's has four main symptoms:. Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head.. Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time.. Slowness of movement.. Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls.. What is the most common symptom associated with Parkinson's disease?The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder may also cause stiffness or slowing of movement.
What are the five 5 signs of Parkinson disease?Tremors. Characteristically occurring at rest, the classic slow, rhythmic tremor of Parkinson's disease typically starts in one hand, foot, or leg and eventually affects both sides of the body. ... . Rigidity. ... . Bradykinesia. ... . Vocal Symptoms. ... . Postural Instability. ... . Walking or Gait Difficulties. ... . Cognitive Changes. ... . Depression and Anxiety.. |