Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people due to a lack of dopamine that the brain is able to produce which helps the body move and affects mood.
- Parkinson's Disease has both motor and non-motor effects on the body
Signs & Symptoms:
- Tremors or shaking
- Small handwriting
- Loss of sense of smell
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble moving or walking
- Constipation
- Soft or low voice
- Masked face
- Dizziness and fainting
- Stooping or hunching over
Other conditions that can mimic PD:
- Essential tremor (ET) – common among the elderly and may be a risk factor for PD
- Different from PD because it affects both hands and often involves a head tremor and a "shaky" voice
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) – a person with NPH has fluid inside the brain that does not drain properly, which results in difficulty walking, slowed thinking, and loss of bladder control.
Medications:
- Many Parkinson's drugs are aimed at temporarily replenishing or mimicking the action of dopamine and are called dopaminergic. They help reduce muscle rigidity, improve speed and coordination and lesson tremors.
- PD medications may have interactions with certain foods, other medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, over the counter cold pills, and other remedies.
Source: Alzheimer's Association