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<\/a><\/p>\nThe disease occurs when nerve cells (or neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. These neurons produce a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it leads to abnormal activity in the brain.<\/p>\n
The symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease vary from person to person with early signs often going unnoticed before they begin to progress. \u00a0Symptoms often start on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease can include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Tremors<\/strong>. Shaking that begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. \u00a0Your hand may tremor when it\u2019s at rest.<\/li>\n
- Slowed movement.\u00a0<\/strong>Over time, Parkinson\u2019s disease may make simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter or you may drag your feet.<\/li>\n
- Rigid muscles.\u00a0<\/strong>Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.<\/li>\n
- Impaired posture and balance.<\/strong> Your posture may become stooped, or you may have difficulty balancing.<\/li>\n
- Loss of automatic movements.<\/strong> You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.<\/li>\n
- Speech changes.<\/strong> You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. \u00a0Speech may also become monotone.<\/li>\n
- Writing changes.\u00a0<\/strong>It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Parkinson\u2019s disease can also lead to other complications, including difficulty remembering or concentrating, emotional changes and depression, difficulty chewing and swallowing, sleep disorders and fatigue, constipation, and bladder control issues.<\/p>\n
The most common risk factors for Parkinson\u2019s disease are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Age.<\/strong>\u00a0People usually develop the disease around age 60 or older.<\/li>\n
- Heredity<\/strong>. Having a close relative with Parkinson\u2019s increases the chances that you\u2019ll develop the disease.<\/li>\n
- Gender.<\/strong>\u00a0Men are more likely to develop Parkinson\u2019s disease than are women.<\/li>\n
- Exposure to toxins.<\/strong> Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase your risk of Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Because the cause of Parkinson\u2019s is unknown, proven ways to prevent the disease also remain a mystery. Some research has shown that regular aerobic exercise might reduce the risk of Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
While there is still no cure for Parkinson\u2019s disease, there are treatments that can slow down the progression and alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Most treatments involve the use of medications that increase the production of dopamine in the brain. Unfortunately, the effects of these drugs usually wear off over time. There are also surgical options designed to stimulate brain function. This type of procedure has led to dramatic improvements in many patients with Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms or Parkinson\u2019s disease, see your doctor. If you do not have a doctor, you can make an appointment at Flushing Hospital\u2019s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-5486.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Parkinson\u2019s disease is a progressive condition that affects the nervous system and movement. The disease occurs when nerve cells (or neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. These neurons produce a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. … Continue reading
- Heredity<\/strong>. Having a close relative with Parkinson\u2019s increases the chances that you\u2019ll develop the disease.<\/li>\n
- Slowed movement.\u00a0<\/strong>Over time, Parkinson\u2019s disease may make simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter or you may drag your feet.<\/li>\n