Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common nervous system disorders. This disease is part of a group of conditions that are referred to as motor system disorders. Motor system disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine producing brain cells. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter. It acts as the chemical messenger in the transmission of signals in the brain and other vial areas. Dopamine is found in humans as well as animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. Further information on dopamine can be found by visiting http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Dopamine.aspx. There are four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which include (1) tremors or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face, (2) rigidity or stiffness of the limns and trunk, (3) bradykinesia or slowness of movement, and (4) postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.. Parkinson’s is considered to be chronic and progressive, meaning it is consistent and does not go away and will only increase intensity and severity of symptoms as the disease continues.
Most cases of Parkinson’s disease result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which several have not been identified. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS has published several informational papers on Parkinson’s disease that can be found at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm. More than a dozen genes have been identified to influence the risk of developing the disease if they are altered. Genes found in the Parkinson disease gene family have a variety of functions in the brain, as well as other active in other organs and tissues. The survivals of particular nerve c...
... middle of paper ...
...ry work, medical industry work and other areas that require steady and stable hand control. The Michael J. Fox Foundation website allows for people to post comments and I was touched by the strength that these individuals have. Jo Dee Biddle, who is a caregiver and loved one of Parkinson’s patient posted “If I have learned anything about PD in 28 years, it is to take things one day at a time. If it's a good day, seize the moment. If it's not, don't apologize.” I think that this is such an inspiring way to look at daily life with Parkinson’s. This attitude and approach will make the good days with this disease be even greater and the harder days easier to cope. There is much that is unknown about this disease, but there are many foundations and research efforts that support furthering the cause of research and continuous search for early diagnosis.
It is truly remarkable how Randy Pausch and Morrie Schwartz stories are so similar but yet so different. They both seem to have an outlook on life in a positive way, not sad or demeaning. The only crippling difference is the fact that Morrie was at the age that wasn’t abnormal to be sick and Randy was just dealt the cards for a short life. One of Professor Randy Pausch’s many quotes during The Last Lecture makes a similar point between his experience and Morrie’s when he says, “…it’s hard to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer – people who get it don’t live long enough.” ALS is such a rehabilitating disease that scientist have issues pinpointing the causes to even get close to a cure, which didn’t hinder either of their strive to keep going as far as they could.
Parkinson’s disease is not a condition that is necessarily easy to be diagnosed. Therefore, the individual is advised to see a Parkinson’s specialist to receive the most accurate diagnosis and consider what the best course of treatment for the individual would be.
Many people, like myself, after watching an episode of “The Michael Jay Fox Show,” started to be come curious as to what exactly this disease is. You ask yourself; What is this disease? What causes it? Can it be passed down from generation to generation? Is there a treatment? What would your life be like suffering from this? Through my research on Parkinson’s disease, I am determined to answer these questions. I hope to have a better understanding on this disease, and how it affects the lives of patients that I might see in a hospital.
...ieve high patient quality care. Parkinson’s disease can be well managed and if diagnosed the patient has full potential to live a meaningful life.
Parkinson's Disease is a mysterious disease that affects the central nervous system and can be very difficult to treat and live with. It is classified as a motor system disorder but is a progressive, chronic disease resulting in
With more than 200,000 US cases per year, Parkinson’s disease has become a major part
In Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J. Fox, Fox uses his naturally comedic perspective to show the reader how he has dealt with Parkinson’s Disease in a positive light. Fox has shown the reader the challenges that come with such a disease and the fact that Fox has done so much in such a short period of time inspires me. The goal of COSI 109 is to help students better understand communication disorders and this book most certainly accomplishes that.
Parkinson disease (PD), also referred to as Parkinson’s disease and paralysis agitans, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is the third most common neurologic disorder of older adults. It is a debilitating disease affecting motor ability and is characterized by four cardinal symptoms: tremor rigidity, bradykinesia or kinesis (slow movement/no movement), and postural instability. Most people have primary, or idiopathic, disease. A few patients have secondary parkinsonian symptoms from conditions such as brain tumors and certain anti-psychotic drugs.
Parkinson's is an idiopathic, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that attacks neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is concentrated in a specific area of the brain called the substantia nigra. The neurotransmitter dopamine is a chemical that regulates muscle movement and emotion. Dopamine is responsible for relaying messages between the substantia nigra and other parts of the brain to control body movement. The death of these neurotransmitters affects the central nervous system. The most common symptoms are movement related, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with posture. Behavioral problems may arise as the disease progresses. Due to the loss of dopamine, Parkinson's patients will often experience depression and some compulsive behavior. In advanced stages of the disease dementia will sometimes occur. The implications of the disease on the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and phonatory systems significantly control speech.
Thomas, C. G. (2013, November 25). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Gene-silencing study finds new targets for Parkinson's disease, pp. 1-2. Retrieved December 13, 2013, from http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2013/ninds-24.htm
If I were to be the Chairman, or a member of the Subcommittee and had Michael J. Fox stand before me and speak to me about Parkinson’s and why it should be more than adequately funded, I would personally hand the $75 million to the Udall Parkinson’s Research Act. To say that Mr. Fox’s speech was effective would be an understatement. He was direct, compassionate, and respectful. Aside from verdantly referring to his celebrity status as insignificant in his testimony, throughout the piece Michael J. Fox does not fail to mention how Parkinson’s affects anyone who suffers from the disease. He is nothing but sympathetic. Even when he is alluding to the time when he revealed to the public what he was going through, he includes how the public, especially
Parkinson Disease There exists a group of people who live the final years of their lives in glass boxes. They are perfectly capable of seeing outside, but incapable of reaching out to the world around them. Their emotions can not be shown through facial expression, and as their condition continues, speech also becomes difficult or even impossible. These people are men and women of all races and geographical areas, constituting one percent of the world’s population over 50 years old.
In 1984, he announced he had Parkinson’s disease which is a neurological condition. He also had a spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spine. Despite onset spinal stenosis, Muhammad remained publicly active. Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s disease center in Phoenix, Arizona was where Ali raised funds for his disease. A few years before his death Ali had a spinal stenosis surgery, which limited his ability to communicate.
James Parkinson first discovered Parkinson's Disease in 1817. Parkinson's Disease is a common neurologic disorder for the elderly. It is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. This disease is associated with damage to a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Parkinson's Disease is a chronic illness that is still being extensively studied.
"Secondary Parkinsonism: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 11 May 2014.