Parkinson's Disease Essay

The following paper discusses one of the most common disease of the elderly naming Parkinson's Disease. This paper reflects the basic understanding of the disease with prime focus on the course, treatment and advance health care needs of the patient. Additionally, to have a better understanding of the disease this paper puts some light on the causes and pathogenesis of the disease and how an elderly patient can cope up with his life during the last stages of the disease.

Key Words

Parkinson's disease, Elderly patient, Bradykinesia, Akinesia, Substantia Nigra, Alpha-synuclein, Rest tremor, Micrographia, Levodopa, Carbidopa, Dopamine, Frozen gait, Depression, Deep Brain Stimulation, Hospice, Living will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPHC).

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1. Introduction

Parkinson's Disease is a perpetual, dynamic, neurodegenerative sickness of the elderly for the most part influencing individuals at the age of 60. Nearly 5 million people are suffering from this disease all over the world and 1.2 million people are suffering in United States and Canada with approximately 480 per million people are newly diagnosed each year. This disease not only affects the patient but also it is a cause of worry among patient's loved ones and family members. Though, the news of the recent disease diagnosis haunt every individual and his nears and dears but due to several support groups and societies and several scientific breakthroughs have put a ray of hope in the life of individual living with Parkinson's disease.

2. History

The disease was commonly called as shaking palsy. In the year 1817, it was Dr. James Parkinson wh...

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.... Rest tremor is usually unilateral starting from hand and foot and the movement of the fingers and thumb is usually described as pill rolling action. As the disease progresses, the tremors spread to all the four limbs. The counter action of muscles such as contraction and relaxation is disturbed leading to muscles soreness and finally rigidity. Patients experience slowness in their routine activities and tend to fall backward due to loss of postural reflexes. Other secondary signs include mask like face, slurred speech, drooling of saliva, difficulty in writing commonly called as micrographia, constipation, depression and difficulty in swallowing. Parkinson's malady is regularly connected with psychiatric dullness, which incorporates discouragement, uneasiness, and dopaminergic psychosis. Therefore, several medications and psycho therapies are available for relief.