The Effects of Parkinson's Disease

By: Zayaan Khan

MedArc Research

Imagine that one day, you are not able to move the same way you used to be able to. You begin to slur your speech, you become more stiff, and your hand begins to tremor. Worst of all, you then learn that this condition you are experiencing can never be cured and you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. The condition in question, is Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is progressive, meaning that the symptoms and effects of it become worse overtime, and if medications are not taken and regulations are not made, it can lead to a vastly impaired life. One may even need a caregiver to help them make it through the day. People who possess Parkinson's are not able to live a normal life, and are put at a mental and physical disadvantage for the rest of their lives.

Parkinson's first occurs where nerve cells are lost in an area of the brain called the substantia niagra. The job of these nerve cells in this part of the brain is to produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control bodily movement and sends messages between the nervous system and parts of the brain. Hence, if these nerve cells are lost or damaged, dopamine levels in the brain are significantly lowered. Because the brain has less dopamine, the body is not able to move as freely as it normally would. Although this may sound like a simple, yet frightening cause for disease, the loss of nerve cells does not happen quickly, and according to the UK National Health Service only when 80% of the substantia niagra nerve cells are lost, Parkinson's disease begins to show its symptoms.

There is no conclusive evidence that explains how exactly nerve cells are lost, but it is believed that some combination of both environmental as well as genetic factors play a role. In terms of environmental factors, pesticides and herbicides are the main proposed culprit, but industrial pollution may play a part as well. In terms of genetic factors, Parkinson's can simply passed down through generations as a result of a genetic mutation. However, the tremors and symptoms of Parkinson's disease are often referred to as "parkinsonism", which is a much more common set of symptoms to obtain from other diseases and conditions. Parkinsonism, and the diseases that cause it, are more often inherited than Parkinson's disease itself, and so one can experience the effects of Parkinson's without having been officially diagnosed with the condition.

There are three general treatment categories for Parkinson's disease: supportive therapies, medication, and (possibly) surgery. Supportive therapies can include things such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or just simply diet advice. In terms of medication, there are several that seem to partially negate the symptoms of Parkinson's. Levodopa is the most common one for this disease specifically, and it is absorbed by nerve cells in your brain, and is then turned into dopamine, which is, again, a necessity for signaling body movement and allowing humans to perform daily tasks. Another medication that can assist in slowing effects of Parkinson's early on, are Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors. MAO-B inhibitors inhibit (block) the effects of an enzyme (a protein that speeds up reactions) in the brain that breaks down dopamine, and this increases overall dopamine levels. And like previously mentioned, increasing dopamine levels directly leads to enhanced bodily function.

So what can one do once they have gotten Parkinson's to better their life and keep them going on a daily basis? First and foremost, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and keeping balance in one's life does not directly "cure" or "treat" Parkinson's, but it can make a person healthier in general. Additionally, many people with Parkinson's disease have some sort of mobility equipment or caregiver to assist them in their daily lives and in getting around. Overall, Parkinson's disease is one that can cause terrible symptoms, and we, as people, need to be educated on what these symptoms are, and how it occurs.

Bibliography:

Mayo Clinic- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

National Health Service- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/causes/