What is Parkinson Disease (PD)?
Up until last weekend, my knowledge of Parkinson's Disease or PD was that it is a neurological disorder and that it's most vocal advocate is Michael J. Fox. That is until I found out that my own dad is affected by it along with dementia.
I was surprised to learn that it is the MOST COMMON neurologic disorder affecting an estimated one percent (1%) of individuals age 60 and above. (Medscape, 2018) It results in progressive disability which can be slowed by treatment, but not halted. It is accompanied by two (2) common neuropathologic findings: 1) Loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurons of the substania nigra pars compacta (yes, it's just as complicated as it sounds. More in future blogs.); and 2) The presence of both Lewy bodies as well as Lewy neurites.
I was surprised to learn that it is the MOST COMMON neurologic disorder affecting an estimated one percent (1%) of individuals age 60 and above. (Medscape, 2018) It results in progressive disability which can be slowed by treatment, but not halted. It is accompanied by two (2) common neuropathologic findings: 1) Loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurons of the substania nigra pars compacta (yes, it's just as complicated as it sounds. More in future blogs.); and 2) The presence of both Lewy bodies as well as Lewy neurites.
What are the signs and symptoms of PD?
Initial symptoms of PD are both motor and non-motor in nature.
Non-motor symptoms include: tremor, a subtle decrease in dexterity, decrease in arm swing on the first side to become involved, softening of the voice, decrease in facial expression, sleep disturbances, decreased sense of smell, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (seborrheic dermatitis, sweating abnormalities), a general
feeling of weakness or malaise, depression, and slowness of thinking.
Motor symptoms include: resting tremor(s) involving the upper extremities, progressive bradykinesia (slowing of movement), rigidity, gait difficulties, and postural instability.
Non-motor symptoms include: tremor, a subtle decrease in dexterity, decrease in arm swing on the first side to become involved, softening of the voice, decrease in facial expression, sleep disturbances, decreased sense of smell, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (seborrheic dermatitis, sweating abnormalities), a general
feeling of weakness or malaise, depression, and slowness of thinking.
Motor symptoms include: resting tremor(s) involving the upper extremities, progressive bradykinesia (slowing of movement), rigidity, gait difficulties, and postural instability.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Medscape (2018). Parkinson Disease. Retrieved on July 4, 2018 from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1831191-overview
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