Parkinson Disease Treatment
Parkinson disease is a chronic age related disease (mainly develops in people over the age of 50). The disease that affects the control of muscles causing uncontrolled shivering, tremors, muscles stiffness, speech disorders and unbalanced movement is resulted in the deterioration of certain nerve system. The deterioration is caused by the decrease of dopamine in the area of the brain that controls motor functioning called substantia nigra, when 80% of dopamine is lost the symptoms of the disease appear. Currently, there is no cure; however, there are ways to control the symptoms and to prevent the disease from escalating at least for considerable period.
As many disease researches believe that the causes for this disease is a combination of both genetic tendencies and environmental stresses causing brain cell death.
The treatment today revolves around controlling the signs and symptoms for a long period as possible whilst minimizing possible side effects. However, even with medication and a close treatment the disease usually progresses after 4-6 years causing motor complications and dyskinesia.( a phenomenon that diminishes the control over voluntary movements) The efficacy of medication changes as the disease changes and progresses .
The treatment available today is medications that help protect the neurons that produce dopamine. They decelerate the cells degeneration rate. One of the medicine is L-dopa is converted into dopamine crossing the blood-brain barrier. The discovery of this medicine was a real breakthrough; however the main shortcoming of this medicine is that overtime the efficacy wears off and may cause involuntary movement. Another drug therapy is usually used along with L-dopa to make it more effective is the Seligiline that functions an inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B which breaks down dopamine. Seligiline is usually given in the early stages of the disease and known to cause fewer side effects than other drugs.
