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- What is Parkinson's Disease?
- Is there any treatment?
- What is the prognosis?
- What research is being done?
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system
disorders. Parkinson's and related disorders are the result of the loss
of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible
for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson's disease occurs
when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally,
these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells
to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their
movement in a normal manner. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's
are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity
or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement;
and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. Patients
may also have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple
tasks. The disease is both chronic and progressive. Parkinson's is not
usually inherited. Early symptoms are subtle and occur gradually.
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Is there any treatment?
A variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms, but
no drug can stop the progression of the disease. In some cases, surgery
is an appropriate treatment. Some doctors recommend physical therapy or
muscle-strengthening exercises.
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What is the prognosis?
At present, there is no way to predict or prevent Parkinson's disease.
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What research is being done?
There are a broad range of studies aimed at discovering the cause(s) of
Parkinson's disease, finding better treatments, and ultimately preventing
and curing the disorder.
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