Mental Health Advice

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neuromuscular condition. It is caused by changes in the basal ganglia of the brain, manifested as disorders of motility is characterized by a slowing and weakening of voluntary movement, including those that express emotion.

Parkinson's disease has three main characteristics or symptoms: rigidity, tremor and brakykinesia.

Stiffness

The stiffness is caused by increased muscle tone. It usually affects a party, initially, rising to one side of the body, then the other side, and finally, neck and trunk. Stiffness worse as the disease progresses, and also increases with anxiety and concentration. If the facial muscles are affected individual develops a mask fixed, wide-eyed expression, for the uninitiated, this may be the symptom most striking aspect of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, writing in May became very small and shaky.

Bradykinesia

Bradykinesia is a slowness and poverty of voluntary movement. The result is a slow muscle weakness and fatigue and is perhaps the most disabling feature of the disease. Difficulty initiating movement often results in a delay between a stimulus as a request to sit, and the subsequent response. Mobility problems caused by bradykinesia have difficulty getting up from bed or chair, and getting in and out of the tub. An interesting feature is the fact that once the wheels are turning to the person having less difficulty climbing stairs than walking on flat ground.

Tremor

The tremor is present when the person is at rest, but not when sleeping. It is inhibited by movement (which differs from tremor in multiple sclerosis, where earthquakes are initiated with the intention of moving). It starts on one side and spread to both parties over time.

Sensory loss and intellect

Despite the above symptoms, no loss of the sensitivity associated with Parkinson's. The person with the disease often chilly May, due to forced immobility by the condition makes the system less sensitive to flux variations in temperature. Parkinson's disease affects not normally mind, but can slow mental processes. In most studies have shown that approximately one third of elderly people with Alzheimer's disease have some form of dementia. Other effects include depression in May, which is caused by the weakening of the self-confidence disease effects.

Now read on – to see more resources about Parkinsons see the symptoms of Parkinsons Disease page at severe-brain.injury.com

Barbara Eastcairn writes about all the health issues that matter to carers and families.