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The symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) were first described in 1817 by an
English physician named James Parkinson. In his composition titled, An Essay on
the Shaking Palsy, Dr. Parkinson clearly outlined the motor symptoms of
PD. This included resting tremor, stooped posture, shuffling gait, balance
problems and generalized slowness. Although these symptoms were the focus of
his report, Dr. Parkinson went on to mention other less obvious characteristics
of this complex disorder. Of special interest, he noted disturbances in mood,
which he referred to as melancholy. PD is generally considered a disease that
affects only the body. However, as noted by Dr. Parkinson, it commonly affects
the mind and spirit as well.
PD is a slowly progressive neurological disorder, or disorder of the brain. It
affects roughly 1.5 million Americans, which is more than multiple sclerosis
and muscular dystrophy combined. PD is diagnosed in one out of every 100 people
over the age of 60. It is generally seen as a disease that occurs later in
life, yet approximately 15% of individuals are diagnosed under the age of 50.
The cause of PD remains unknown however, most doctors believe it is due to a
combination of genetic and environmental risk factors.
There are currently no medical tests or studies that can detect PD. Diagnosis
relies solely on the patient's report and the clinician's examination. Most
clinicians look for at least two of the cardinal symptoms to be present before
considering the diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD). In addition to
the cardinal symptoms of PD, a large number of secondary symptoms exist.
Diagnosing IPD can be challenging due to other known forms of parkinsonism.
Parkinsonism refers to conditions that produce Parkinson-like symptoms but are
not true Parkinson disease.
Treatment of PD typically consists of a combination of medications, exercise
and proper diet. Medications not only include anti-PD agents, such as
carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet), but also medications that help alleviate
secondary symptoms. Deep brain stimulation has also become an excellent option
for a selective group of individuals. Although a cure does not yet exist for
PD, great strides are continuously made in developing new and effective
treatments.
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