Parkinson Disease Outline
Parkinson disease
What is Parkinson disease?
Parkinson disease is a degenerative neurologic condition that typically causes progressive tremor, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, and trouble walking. Eventually, individuals may develop behavioral changes. Most people develop symptoms during middle age (around age 56).
The condition usually starts with shaking or tremor in one arm. Over time, patients may become physically disabled without the ability to perform daily activities. In fact, Parkinson disease is a relatively common cause of falls in the elderly.
Due to the importance of this condition, it is critical that patients understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment. By the end of this article, you will have the answers to these …show more content…
Patients may have difficultly performing tasks such as brushing, feeding, bathing, and clothing. They may eventually not be able to take care of their daily activities as a result of reduced mobility and function. Over time, patients can develop personality changes and memory loss. The most common cause of death in patients with Parkinson disease is pneumonia, a type of bacterial lung infection.
Your doctor will often evaluate for certain findings on your physical examination such as how quick you can move. They will also usually test for muscle rigidity, muscle strength, sensation, and reflexes. They may have you stand with your eyes closed to check your balance.
A very common feature is shaking of the hand or upper limb at rest. This shaking or tremor usually improves with purposeful movements such as grabbing objects. It can involve other parts of the body such as the head and even voice.
Your doctor may also test your memory by asking your name, date, where you are, and who the current president is. Sometimes they will perform a detailed memory test where you are asked to remember certain words and repeat them, as well as copy various figures using a pen or pencil. They may even ask you to draw a …show more content…
Parkinson disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, family history, and physical examination findings. Your doctor will usually obtain an MRI of your brain to evaluate for other conditions that could be responsible for your symptoms such as brain tumor or stroke. There are newer imaging techniques being performed such as the DaTSCAN, which specifically evaluates for the amount of dopamine in the substantia nigra – the abnormal brain region in Parkinson disease. The only way doctors know you have Parkinson disease for certain is if they perform brain autopsy after death.
Your doctor will also likely order blood tests such as a CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), CBC (complete blood cell count), vitamin B12 level, and thyroid hormones. They will also usually check your cholesterol levels and screen for diabetes.
How is Parkinson disease
What is Parkinson disease?
Parkinson disease is a degenerative neurologic condition that typically causes progressive tremor, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, and trouble walking. Eventually, individuals may develop behavioral changes. Most people develop symptoms during middle age (around age 56).
The condition usually starts with shaking or tremor in one arm. Over time, patients may become physically disabled without the ability to perform daily activities. In fact, Parkinson disease is a relatively common cause of falls in the elderly.
Due to the importance of this condition, it is critical that patients understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment. By the end of this article, you will have the answers to these …show more content…
Patients may have difficultly performing tasks such as brushing, feeding, bathing, and clothing. They may eventually not be able to take care of their daily activities as a result of reduced mobility and function. Over time, patients can develop personality changes and memory loss. The most common cause of death in patients with Parkinson disease is pneumonia, a type of bacterial lung infection.
Your doctor will often evaluate for certain findings on your physical examination such as how quick you can move. They will also usually test for muscle rigidity, muscle strength, sensation, and reflexes. They may have you stand with your eyes closed to check your balance.
A very common feature is shaking of the hand or upper limb at rest. This shaking or tremor usually improves with purposeful movements such as grabbing objects. It can involve other parts of the body such as the head and even voice.
Your doctor may also test your memory by asking your name, date, where you are, and who the current president is. Sometimes they will perform a detailed memory test where you are asked to remember certain words and repeat them, as well as copy various figures using a pen or pencil. They may even ask you to draw a …show more content…
Parkinson disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, family history, and physical examination findings. Your doctor will usually obtain an MRI of your brain to evaluate for other conditions that could be responsible for your symptoms such as brain tumor or stroke. There are newer imaging techniques being performed such as the DaTSCAN, which specifically evaluates for the amount of dopamine in the substantia nigra – the abnormal brain region in Parkinson disease. The only way doctors know you have Parkinson disease for certain is if they perform brain autopsy after death.
Your doctor will also likely order blood tests such as a CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), CBC (complete blood cell count), vitamin B12 level, and thyroid hormones. They will also usually check your cholesterol levels and screen for diabetes.
How is Parkinson disease