Parkinson's Case Study Essay

Nursing Fundamentals: Case Study
Parkinson 's disease is a chronic and progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects one 's movement. Symptoms continue and may worsen over time. This disease has no standard treatment, though there are medications given and surgeries performed to treat its symptoms.
Parkinson 's affects neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, one of the movement control centers in the brain. Some of the neurons that die while this disease is progressing, produces dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that sends off messages to the part of the brain that controls one 's movement and coordination. As Parkinson 's progresses, the amount of dopamine that is to be produced in the brain, decreases, which

Sometimes the symptoms that come with PD do not require movement. Some of the early symptoms are loss of sense of smell, constipation, REM behavior, sleep and mood disorder, and orthostatic hypotension, which means low blood pressure when standing. These nonmotor symptoms are more troublesome than the motor symptoms for some people. Many researchers believe that these nonmotor symptoms come before the motor symptoms. Other nonmotor symptoms are bladder and sexual problems, excessive saliva, weight loss or gain, depression, and skin problems. If a person has some these symptoms, it may not mean that they are developing the Parkinson 's disease. Though, these symptoms have helped scientist have a better understanding of the disease. ("Nonmotor Symptoms - Parkinson 's Disease Foundation (PDF)",

Many of the residents tried to feed themselves, but because they were shaking so bad they, sometimes, would not eat. I was happy to see that they would try to feed themselves and that they were trying to work their muscles out to reduce the tremor, but as a caregiver I would understand their frustration and help out by feeding them. Many of them had physical therapy to also help out. The team at the nursing home made sure each resident had their medications, went to their appointments, and worked with them when possible.
Seeing and caring for a loved one with Parkinson 's disease can be hard, but as their caregiver or as their family, you can find out and work with them through this disease. Understanding those with PD is going through, goes a long way. You can help them by talking to their doctors about their response after taking medications, helping them by exercising. Those who may sleeping problems can be helped by keeping them active during the day setting a bedtime