It is claimed that there are references to the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease in both the old and new testaments of the Bible. Often cited as possible references to Parkinsonism is the following depiction of old age in the Old Testament : “When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent” (Ecclesiastes 12 : 3), and the following description in the New Testament “There was a woman who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit…..bent and completely incapable of standing erect” (Luke 13:11).

For many decades, there were no effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease, and it was thought to be a terminal illness. But in the 1940s and 1950s, neurosurgeons began to perform surgery on the basal ganglia of the brain that resulted in improvements in Parkinson’s disease symptoms. While this surgery was effective, it was risky, with about 12 percent of patients dying as a result of the operation.

Researchers in the 1960s discovered that the brain chemistry of Parkinson’s patients was vastly different then those without Parkinson’s. The tests showed that Parkinson’s patients suffered from a low level of dopamine in the brain. This low level of dopamine caused the nerve cells in the region of the brain known as the substantia nigra to degenerate. Armed with this knowledge, scientists were able to come up with the first medical treatment for the disease.

In 2006, a new MAO-B inhibitor was developed called rasagiline. In that same year, a whole new approach to PD therapy, called antiapoptotic therapy, was initiated. It is designed to prevent the dying off of dopamine cells. Apoptosis refers to ‘programmed cell-death’ that occurs among dopamine cells of PD patients. And anti-apoptotic drugs should theoretically prevent this programmed cell death. To date these drugs are still under investigation. In 2007 a dopamine patch was developed (rotigotine) to deliver dopamine to the bloodstream in a more uniform manner thus reducing side effects. Throughout the last decades of the 20th century, all kinds of drugs were used to treat non-motor symptoms of PD like the mental disturbances, the sleep problems, the mood problems and so forth.

Also, symptoms tend to progress slowly. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may last a long time before the more classic and obvious symptoms appear. These early symptoms may even be attributed to the normal effects of aging or other medical conditions, such as arthritis.

Resting Tremor is a slight shakiness in the hand when the hand is at rest. The shakiness or trembling goes away when you move the hand to do something. For example, the shakiness stops when you pick up a book or a cup and so forth. The tremor may extend to the leg or foot on the same side and sometime to the lips and jaw. You might even feel an internal tremor as if the trembling is deep within your body.

Difficulty with walking (gait disturbance) and balance (postural instability). A person with Parkinson’s disease is likely to take small steps and shuffle with his or her feet close together, bend forward slightly at the waist (stooped posture), and have trouble turning around. Balance and posture problems may result in frequent falls. However, these problems usually do not develop until later in the course of the disease.

When you wake up you notice that the shaking subsists, worried you call the doctor and set-up an early morning appointment. After meeting with the doctor for only a few minutes he says all signs point to Parkinson’s disease. After a few months the tremors become worse and it is much more difficult to do some of the small things that seemed so meniscule, a couple of years later the disease becomes so progressive that you have to quit your job much earlier than anticipated and focus your energy and attention on your health. I won’t go any further but this is the happenings of many people who develop Parkinson’s.

In Parkinson’s disease (and so begins my modest knowledge of this condition), certain nerve cells located in the basal nuclei (or basal ganglia – the masses of gray matter in each of the two cerebral hemispheres, which ensure the smooth progress of movement) may have ceased functioning normally. Ordinarily, these nerve cells produce dopamine, a chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain (this chemical allows nerve cells to transmit signals to one another as well as to muscle fibers). Lack of supply of dopamine can lead to a state of chaos in the signals between nerve cells and muscle fibers. If such confusion occurs, the arm and leg shaking and other symptoms characteristic of Parkinson’s disease are likely to take place.

In the later stages of Parkinson’s disease the affected person loses the ability to control their movements, making everyday activities hard to manage, and the intellect begins to be affected by the disease. About one-third of Parkinson’s Disease sufferers eventually show signs of dementia. The disease runs an average ten year course and ultimately results in death usually by an infection or aspiration pneumonia.

Complications of Parkinson’s disease include dementia, aspiration, and injury from falls.

When drugs such as levodopa (L-Dopa) are taken orally, many of the worst symptoms are lessened. New drugs such as pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip) can delay the need for levodopa. Apomorphine (Apokyn) is used treat episodes of reduced mobility in patients with advanced Parkinson’s that responds less effectively to levodopa. Future approaches to treatment include a focus on early detection and slowing progression of the disease. Encouraging results have been reported from surgical insertion of a pacemakerlike device deep in the brain to suppress uncontrolled movements, but surgical transplantation of fetal dopamine-producing cells failed to show significant benefits in a controlled study. Traditional surgery can alleviate some tremors, and physical therapy may help mobility.

Stage 1: During this initial phase of the disease, a patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms may inconvenience the day-to-day tasks the patient would otherwise complete with ease. Typically these symptoms will include the presence of tremors or experiencing shaking in one of the limbs.

Also during Stage 1, friends and family can usually detect changes in the Parkinson’s patient including poor posture, loss of balance, and abnormal facial expressions.

A person is categorized as stage II if the following are present:

• Symptoms occur on both sides of the body
• Minimal disability
• Posture and gait are affected.

Medication may be started during stage I or II and typically involves one of the less powerful Parkinson’s disease medications.

Stage 3 of Parkinson’s Disease (Difficult)

• Difficulty in maintaining balance and posture.
• Impairment of walking or standing although sufferer is usually able to do so independently.
• Physical movements are noticeably slow.

Stage Four

• Severe symptoms
• Can still walk to a limited extent
• Rigidity and bradykinesia
• No longer able to live alone
• Tremor may be less than earlier stages

Stage Five

• Cachectic stage
• Invalidism complete
• Cannot stand or walk
• Requires constant nursing care

Parkinson’s disease can affect anyone, regardless of social or economic class or geographic area. Each year, approximately 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Statistics indicate that this condition seems to affect men at a slightly higher rate than women, and it appears to affect whites more than African Americans or Asians. However, it is likely that everyone has a similar probability of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Let’s take age itself as the starting point, because there are some nuances that are not generally known. In line with popular perceptions, about 90% of people with the illness are over 60 years old.

This is true even if you consider the age at which the symptoms first appear. Not even 10% of cases are diagnosed in adults under age 40. Most of the fresh diagnoses are in those above age 60.

When those with mild symptoms of Parkinsons (symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease that may be caused by other things, or could develop into Parkinson’s Disease), those numbers increase dramatically. 15% of those between the ages of 60 and 74 have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Between the ages of 75 and 84, that percentage rises to almost 30%.

Most anti-nausea medications can worsen the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or interfere with the benefits of Parkinson medication. Some of the most common anti-nausea drugs, e.g. metoclopramide (Reglan), promethazine (Phenergan) and prochlorperazine (Compazine) block the body’s chemical dopamine receptors. These are the very receptors that most Parkinson medications seek to activate. Taking anti-nausea drugs while also taking Parkinson medications means that you’re taking a drug and its antidote at the same time. They cancel each other out. However, one anti-nausea drug, ondansetron (Zofran), works on a different chemical receptor and avoids this problem.

Although massage therapy is not to be considered a cure for Parkinson’s disease, it can offer valuable therapeutic symptom relief. Many people suffering with this disease experience severe muscle pain and tightness, which can be alleviated with manual therapy. If you are already working with, or are thinking of working with a client who has Parkinson’s disease, make certain you are aware of ALL medications they may be taking, as there may be serious massage contraindications present. Many medications prescribed for those with Parkinson’s disease often have side effects that can deter certain forms of massage from being performed. It is also important when working with these clients that you maintain close contact with their physicians.

Other tips and nutrition for people with Parkinson’s disease may include drinking plenty of liquids, drinking between bites to make swallowing easier, or add sauces to foods to make chewing and eating easier, eat sour candy or fruit chews to increase saliva in your mouth to help make chewing easier as well and consult a doctor about any special concerns or problems.

This particular illness may be difficult and you cannot rely solely on medications because often times they may do you more harm than help you with your condition. But with practicing physical therapy for Parkinsons disease and adopting other natural methods, you are one step forward to taking control of your condition.

The presence of physical rigidity, such as decreased arm swing, is especially useful in helping medical personnel establish a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

This may also include ‘Freezing’ which is the sudden inability to move when you want to , a foot on one side starts to drag, and difficulty walking through doorways and hallways.

Bradykinesia is the phenomenon of a person experiencing slow movements. In addition to slow movements, a person with bradykinesia will probably also have incomplete movement, difficulty initiating movements and sudden stopping of ongoing movement. People who have bradykinesia may walk with short, shuffling steps (this is called festination). Bradykinesia and rigidity can occur in the facial muscles, reducing a person’s range of facial expressions and resulting in a “mask-like” appearance.

Some of the earliest signs are often sore and stiff muscles. Obviously this can also be accounted for too different reasons however it is often found with people who have Parkinson’s disease. There are no specific types of muscles as it can affect muscles all around the body.

There are many secondary symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease patients may notice that they are weaker or more tired. Symptoms include disorders of mood, behavior, thinking, and sensation. Poor balance is due to the impairment or loss of the reflexes that adjust posture in order to maintain balance. Falls are common in people with Parkinson’s. Shaking (muscle tremor). This is one of the first symptoms in three-quarters of people, and affects most people with Parkinson’s disease. Bradykinesia is the phenomenon of a person experiencing slow movements. In addition to slow movements, a person with bradykinesia will probably also have incomplete movement, difficulty initiating movements and sudden stopping of ongoing movement. The progressive loss of voluntary and involuntary muscle control produces a number of secondary symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. Postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination, causes patients to develop a forward or backward lean and to fall easily.

The signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can also be attributed to other illnesses such as stress and absolute exhaustion so many sufferers don’t visit the doctor until such a time as they realise the symptoms are not getting any better, which can be months down the line. Contrary to popular belief, Parkinson’s disease is not age specific and although it is most commonly seen in the older generation (60+) there is a growing number of cases that develop earlier on in life, thus if you have any of the signs mentioned above and are in the least bit worried then a trip to your local doctor is advised, even if it is only to put your mind at rest.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease is, as with any other condition, a complex and uncertain process. With symptoms very similar to that of other neurological disorders, including a variety of different forms of the disease itself, the Parkinsons diagnosis requires an physician experienced in dealing with the condition first hand, and an ability to differentiate between the symptoms set synonymous with this and other conditions. Some related conditions take their course very rapidly, whereas some take time to develop. Similarly, some conditions are always present, whilst some are acute, therefore it is essential for the initiation of treatment that patients are diagnosed effectively and correctly. The patient may require observation for a period of time before proper Parkinsons diagnosis can be made, as there are no laboratory tests which can indicate its presence for certain.

The diagnosis of the Parkinson’s disease is complex. There are no ways that a person may be identified as a patient with blood tests and x-rays and other conventional methods of diagnosis. Often, a neurologist may only arrive at a result once a thorough MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is complete. However, MRI is helpful only in separating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with other neurological and brain disorders.

Since there is no specific test or marker for PD, diagnosis is by a physician and depends on the presence of at least two of the three major signs: tremor at rest, rigidity, and bradykinesia, as well as the absence of a secondary cause, such as antipsychotic medications or multiple small strokes in the regions of the brain controlling movement. Patients tend to be most aware of tremor and bradykinesia, and less so of rigidity.

The latest news is that new treatments for Parkinson’s disease are at the leading edge of current studies, with experiments being carried out with stem cells and gene therapy. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s is a distressing time for any patient and anybody close to them. As a progressive condition, patients suffering with the condition have to come to terms with the fact that there is no hope of recovery, but rather a gradual process of loss of movement and co-ordination. An early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is vital to the patient being able to keep some independence, and a decent quality of life for a reasonable length of time.

Despite medical treatment, the symptoms of Parkinson disease worsen over time, and become less responsive to drug therapy. Late-stage psychiatric symptoms are often the most troubling, including difficulty sleeping, nightmares, intellectual impairment (dementia), hallucinations, and loss of contact with reality (psychosis).

Life expectancy for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease has improved markedly, in recent years, thanks largely to the increasing availability of more effective drugs and therapies for managing the symptoms of this distressing disease.

When doctors talk about prognosis of Parkinson’s disease they refer to the speed of development. You see, there are five stages of Parkinson’s disease. But, not all the patients with Parkinson’s disease deteriorate in the same way. Some of them go through all five stages of illness in seven years, while others can live with Parkinson’s disease over twenty years. And for a better part of these years they are able to live productive lives.

Although Parkinson’s is referred to as a disease, its definite cause has not been specified. Common causes that have been indicated as being responsible for causing Parkinson’s Disease include genetics, toxins, cerebral anoxia, head trauma and drug related issues. Despite these causes, an ailment qualifies as a disease because of a collection of signs and symptoms which emerge together. In order to qualify as a disease, the problem would have to have a root cause incorporating that a single cure should work in every Parkinson’s case.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of or damage to the nerve cells in the brain. Many of the symptoms of this disease are because of lack of a chemical, called dopamine, in the brain, which acts as a messenger. This happens when particular brain cells that create dopamine, deteriorate or die. But even after a lot of careful research by scientists, it still isn’t still clear as to what really triggers the drop in the production of dopamine. It is believed that probably genetic transmutations and/or environmental pollutants could have a hand in leading to Parkinson’s disease.

There’s also the free radical theory, which suggests that unstable free radical molecules are responsible for the onset of Parkinson’s, probably because of the injurious effects they have when reacting with iron for oxidation. This theory evolved because many patients with Parkinson’s have been found to have abnormally high leaves of iron in their brain.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s at present, drugs are used to try to control symptoms of Parkinson’s. The most widely used form of treatment is L-dopa in various forms. L-dopa is transformed into dopamine in the dopaminergic neurons by L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (often known by its former name dopa-decarboxylase). The most widely practiced treatment for the speech disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). LSVT focuses on increasing vocal loudness. Regular physical exercise and/or therapy can be beneficial to the patient for maintaining and improving mobility, flexibility, balance and a range of motion. Nutrients have been used in clinical studies and are widely used by people with Parkinson’s disease in order to partially treat PD or slow down its deterioration.