Parkinson's Disease Case Study

Parkinson’s Disease by: Justin Freolo, Valerie Apelin, Jackie Agyemang, Megan Samaroo, Thelma Olobo, Michelle Bagasbas

Background

John, a 55 year old man, comes in the office with his wife, Rita. His wife is concerned about some changes in her husband. She reports that sometimes he seems to be moving in slow motion while doing daily routines such as getting dressed, and leaving the house. She has also noticed that John loses his balance quite often, and claims there’s nothing wrong with him despite keeping his hand on the wall for support. Finally, Rita has observed that her husband has unsteady hands and his handwriting has become small and almost illegible.

Symptoms of Patient

55 year old man

Slow movements-getting slower and slower everyday

Loss of balance-need support

Shakiness/Shaky hands;

He comes into the office with his wife, who explains that she has been concerned since seeing some changes happening to her husband. John has been moving in slow motion, takes longer to get ready in the morning, loses his balance, and needs to put his hand on the wall for support. John is reluctant to admit that anything is wrong, but it is noticed that his hand is shaking and his handwriting is almost illegible.

These pieces of evidence led to the conclusion of John having Parkinson’s Disease. The fact that he is an old man, who has difficulty with motor movement, tremors in his hand, and has almost illegible writing led to the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, which includes these symptoms.

Diagnosis

Parkinson's disease may reduce your ability to move and slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming.

A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers.

Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

Amnesia/Dementia

Distorted or loss of sense of smell

Anxiety or apathy,