PARKINSON'S DISEASE (PD); THE SHAKY PALSY

    Dr. Richard J. Kramer, a Gastroenterologist with the Parkinson's disease said in 2019 about his experience with the disease, "I was diagnosed two and a half years ago. I couldn’t believe it! Over the three prior years before diagnosis, I had noticed that I could not hold a pen properly and even my physician-type handwriting had become much worse than normal".

                   Dr. Kramer and wife

  The Parkinson's disease gradually deteriorates the nervous system. The symptoms appear gradually, and perhaps might go unnoticed by patients with the disease. However, it worsens over time. 

  Ever since the 17th century, the Parkinson's disease (otherwise known as PD) has been gaining weight in the medical world, but it was not until the 19th century that an English surgeon named James Parkinson published the book "essay on the shaking palsy", that the Parkinson's disease came to life. Dr. James referred to the disease which would later bear his own name as the "shaking palsy" or the paralysis agitans. Further contributions from neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot proved unequivocally pivotal in the studying of the disease and its effects on the human body.

  PD doesn't have a particular cause, it's been said that it could either be hereditary or as a result of environmental factors including possible accidents like head injuries or exposure to pesticidal chemically or even accumulated excessive drinking effects.

  The disease is most acquitted with mostly motor symptoms, however the non motor symptoms tend to arise at latter stages with even less control of the disease. In the case of motor symptoms, the cause have been found to be as a result of reduction in the level of dopamine at the central nervous system. The dopamine are chemical messengers that are produced by the neurons, found at the substantia nigra portion of the midbrain. When there are damages done to these dopaminergic neurons, possible exhibition of motor symptoms could arise thereby showcasing a possible Parkinson's diseased victim.

  The symptoms range from the tremor, bradykinesia i.e slowness in movement, stiff muscle, inadequate posture to the inability to write properly or talk properly. The disease is more prominent in adults above the age of 60, occurrences in people of 50 years and below are fewer and their cases are termed as pre onset of PD, while the ones above 60 years are called the usual onset of the disease.

        The posture of a man with the PD

  PD has no cure! Despite there being treatments that help to adequately manage the disease, a typical example is the Levodopa, also known as L-DOPA. From the name, it helps in the production of dopamine, which inadvertently combats the Parkinson's disease. However, there is the link existent before PD and infections caused by Helicobacter pylori which can prevent the intake or swallowing of the L-DOPA drug and eventually slow down the treatment of the disease. 

  The use of surgery (cases whereby drugs have proven ineffective) in PD cases have proven helpful, especially with the motor symptoms, whereas, the motor symptoms are significantly reduced. An example is the surgery that deal with the insertion of microelectrodes into the brain for deep brain stimulation which helps with the movement of the body. Thus, help in treating at least the motor symptoms.

  Just as much effort is being put into getting a cure for the disease, there should be maximum impactful sensitization of people about PD, an average individual might have the disease for up to 5 years without even knowing.  The prevention however, is the most important, well for the uninfected. Exercises, have proved to be very key, keeping in shape might help put the disorder or disease in check. The use of caffeine as found in coffee is also known to be effective, caffeine contains Adenosine A2 receptors that help in preventing loss of dopamine or the dopaminergic neurons, thus, help in reducing motor deficits. Vitamin C and E could also very well help in preventing the PD.

                           Exercise

  Whether one is with the disease or not, the most important part is the enlightenment. Parkinson's disease isn't the end. Yes, life expectancy is cut short, but with the drive for care and better ways of controlling PD in these present times, things can get progressively ameliorate.

  The Parkinson's foundation is determined to help get rid of the Parkinson's disease and also help the PD patients, it is a foundation that been in existence since 1957. Donate, join, enlighten people, do your very best.