Parkinson's Disease Definition
Parkinson's disease is a slow, progressive disorder of the central nervous system for which there is no known cure and no known definite cause. Symptoms There are four major symptoms of Parkinson's disease: slowness of movement, muscular rigidity, resting tremor, and a shuffling, unbalanced walk and postural instability that progresses into uncontrollable tiny, running steps to keep from falling. The first sign of Parkinson's disease is usually a slight tremor in a hand, arm, or leg. The tremor is most noticeable during rest. It improves with movement, and is completely absent during sleep, and becomes worse during times of fatigue and stress. In most people with Parkinson's disease, the tremor starts in one hand and resembles the motion one makes when trying to roll a pill between the fingers; thus, it is called a "pill-rolling tremor." The jaw, tongue, forehead and eyelids can also exhibit a tremor. Another early sign is a severe decrease in eye blinking. As Parkinson's disease progresses, the body becomes stiffer, weaker, and the initial tremors may spread to both sides of the body, and result in a shaking of the head, a mask-like expression on the face in which the eyes do not blink (known as a Parkinsonian mask), and a permanent, rigid, bent-over posture. Speech becomes difficult, slurred and slow. Depression and dementia can also occur as normal daily activities become increasingly difficult to perform. Cause Although the cause is unknown, an imbalance of two brain chemicals, dopamine and acetylcholine, seems to be involved. A deficiency of dopamine in the brain can be due to underlying nutritional deficiencies, cerebral vascular disease (blockage of blood vessels in the brain), side effects of anti-psychotic medications, carbon monoxide poisoning, abuse of certain designer drugs, and a rare infection (encephalitis lethargica). Parkinson's disease has been associated with the toxic buildup of heavy metals in the body, especially mercury from dental amalgams. To slow the progression of Parkinson's amalgam fillings should be replaced, followed by a detoxification program. Cleansing and Detoxification Caution: Parkinson's disease requires immediate and ongoing professional medical attention. |