Parkinson’s Causes And Prevention

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What Causes Parkinson’s Disease

No one knows for sure what makes these nerve cells break down. But scientists are doing a lot of research to look for the answer. They are studying many possible causes, including aging and poisons in the environment.

Abnormal genes seem to lead to Parkinson’s disease in some people. But so far, there is not enough proof to show that it is always inherited.

Support For People Living With Parkinsons Disease

While the progression of Parkinsons is usually slow, eventually a persons daily routines may be affected. Activities such as working, taking care of a home, and participating in social activities with friends may become challenging. Experiencing these changes can be difficult, but support groups can help people cope. These groups can provide information, advice, and connections to resources for those living with Parkinsons disease, their families, and caregivers. The organizations listed below can help people find local support groups and other resources in their communities.

If You Have Parkinson’s Disease

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, call your doctor if:

• You notice any significant change in your symptoms, such as severe episodes of freezingâa sudden loss of mobilityâwhich may affect walking.
• Your response to your medicine changes.
• Any other symptoms occur, such as constipation, sexual problems, or incontinence.
• You have symptoms of depression, such as feeling sad or losing interest in daily activities.
• You or your family notice that you have problems with memory and thinking ability.

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Causes Of Parkinson Disease

In Parkinson disease, synuclein forms clumps called Lewy bodies in nerve cells. Lewy bodies consist of misfolded synuclein. Synuclein can accumulate in several regions of the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra and interfere with brain function. Lewy bodies often accumulate in other parts of the brain and nervous system, suggesting that they may be involved in other disorders. In Lewy body dementia Dementia With Lewy Bodies and Parkinson Disease Dementia Dementia with Lewy bodies is progressive loss of mental function characterized by the development of Lewy bodies in nerve cells. Parkinson disease dementia is loss of mental function characterized read more , Lewy bodies form throughout the outer layer of the brain . Lewy bodies may also be involved in Alzheimer disease Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer disease is a progressive loss of mental function, characterized by degeneration of brain tissue, including loss of nerve cells, the accumulation of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid read more , possibly explaining why about one third of people with Parkinson disease have symptoms of Alzheimer disease and why some people with Alzheimer disease develop parkinsonian symptoms.

About 10% of people with Parkinson disease have relatives who have or have had the disease. Also, several gene mutations that can cause Parkinson disease have been identified.

Basic Concepts Of The Mediterranean Diet

The components of a Mediterranean diet include:

• Eat mainlyplant-based foods, such as a variety of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, nuts, and legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas.
• Consume a small amount of low-fat protein, either chicken or fatty fish, such as salmon, albacore tuna, or mackerel, a few times per week.
• Limit red meat to a few times a month.
• Avoid salt and instead flavor your meals with spices and herbs.
• Drink red wine in moderation .
• Replace butter with a healthier fat like extra virgin olive oil.
• Limit dairy, including cream, milk, and ice cream.

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Parkinsons Disease And Movement Disorders Center

Our center provides compassionate and timely treatment to patients with movement disorders, such as dystonia, ataxia, essential tremor and similar conditions. But our mission goes beyond patient care excellence. By offering educational events and support groups, we empower patients and caregivers to become better partners in their health.

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Physiotherapy Treatment And Rehabilitation Program:

Aims of the physiotherapy treatment :

• patient and family education about disease.
• To improve patients quality of life it is important to make patient independent.
• Use of movement strategies and exercise therapy to improve patients mobility.
• postural correction is must.
• To make the patients joint flexible .
• To gain the maximum of muscular strength.
• correction and improvement of posture and balance to minimize risk of falls.
• maintenance of breathing pattern and cough mechanism.
• enhance the effect of pharmacological therapy.

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Foods Containing Nutrients That People May Be Deficient In

Some research suggests that people with Parkinsons often have certain nutrient deficiencies, including deficiencies in iron, vitamin B1, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D.

The above study points out that some of these deficiencies may be associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, which are key factors in Parkinsons.

Therefore, people with Parkinsons may wish to consume more of the following foods.

Foods containing iron

The following foods are good sources of iron:

• certain fortified foods

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Preventing Parkinsons Disease: An Environmental Agenda

Article type: Review Article

Authors: De Miranda, Briana R.a * | Goldman, Samuel M.b | Miller, Gary W.c | Greenamyre, J. Timothyd | Dorsey, E. Raye

Affiliations: Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA | Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, School of Medicine, University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA | Department of Environmnetal Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA | Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | Center for Health+Technology and Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

Correspondence: Correspondence to: Briana De Miranda, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 560, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. Tel.: +1 205 996 2138 E-mail: .

Keywords: Parkinsons disease, environment, pesticides, metals, chlorinated solvents, air pollution, preclinical research, clinical research

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-212922

Journal: Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 45-68, 2022

Abstract

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How To Treat Parkinsons Disease

there is a no permanent cure for the disease.but the pharmacological treatment and others may help to fight against the symptoms.with the help of Physiotherapy , Speech therapy , Occupational therapy can help the patient to live independant.some patients might require surgery.

Drug treatment should be delayed as long as possible.when started the dose of the drug should be gradually increased until the required benefit.the goals should be to relieve the symptoms to managable levels and not to give complete relief from symptoms.

There are initially Medical treatment and Physiotherapy exercise are started and Rarely required surgical interventions.

Other Causes Of Parkinsonism

“Parkinsonism” is the umbrella term used to describe the symptoms of tremors, muscle rigidity and slowness of movement.

Parkinson’s disease is the most common type of parkinsonism, but there are also some rarer types where a specific cause can be identified.

These include parkinsonism caused by:

• medication where symptoms develop after taking certain medications, such as some types of antipsychotic medication, and usually improve once the medication is stopped
• other progressive brain conditions such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple systems atrophy and corticobasal degeneration
• cerebrovascular disease where a series of small strokes cause several parts of the brain to die

You can read more about parkinsonism on the Parkinson’s UK website.

Page last reviewed: 30 April 2019 Next review due: 30 April 2022

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How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and your past health and will do a neurological examination. This examination includes questions and tests that show how well your nerves are working. For example, your doctor will watch how you move, check your muscle strength and reflexes, and check your vision.

Your doctor will also ask questions about your mood.

In some cases, your doctor may have you try a medicine. How this medicine works may help your doctor know if you have Parkinson’s disease.

There are no lab or blood tests that can help your doctor know whether you have Parkinson’s. But you may have tests to help your doctor rule out other diseases that could be causing your symptoms. For example, you might have an MRI to look for signs of a stroke or brain tumour.

What And How Can Physical Activity Prevention Function On Parkinsons Disease

Jianshe WeiGuest Editor: Received

Abstract

Aim. This study was aimed at investigating the effects and molecular mechanisms of physical activity intervention on Parkinsons disease and providing theoretical guidance for the prevention and treatment of PD. Methods. Four electronic databases up to December 2019 were searched , 176 articles were selected. Literature data were analyzed by the logic analysis method. Results. Risk factors of PD include dairy products, pesticides, traumatic brain injury, and obesity. Protective factors include alcohol, tobacco, coffee, black tea, and physical activity. Physical activity can reduce the risk and improve symptoms of PD and the beneficial forms of physical activity, including running, dancing, traditional Chinese martial arts, yoga, and weight training. Different forms of physical activity alleviate the symptoms of PD through different mechanisms, including reducing the accumulation of -syn protein, inflammation, and oxidative stress, while enhancing BDNF activity, nerve regeneration, and mitochondrial function. Physical activity has a positive impact on the prevention and treatment of PD. Illustrating the molecular mechanism of physical activity-induced protective effect on PD is an urgent need for improving the efficacy of PD therapy regimens in the future.

1. Introduction

2. Epidemiology Study of Parkinsons Disease

2.1. Incidence of Parkinsons Disease

2.2. Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Parkinsons Disease

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How Will Parkinson’s Disease Affect Your Life

Finding out that you have a long-term, progressive disease can lead to a wide range of feelings. You may feel angry, afraid, sad, or worried about what lies ahead. It may help to keep a few things in mind:

• Usually this disease progresses slowly. Some people live for many years with only minor symptoms.
• Many people are able to keep working for years. As the disease gets worse, you may need to change how you work.
• It is important to take an active role in your health care. Find a doctor you trust and can work with.
• Depression is common in people who have Parkinson’s. If you feel very sad or hopeless, talk to your doctor or see a counsellor.
• It can make a big difference to know that you’re not alone. Ask your doctor about Parkinson’s support groups, or look for online groups or message boards.
• Parkinson’s affects more than just the person who has it. It also affects your loved ones. Be sure to include them in your decisions.

Off Periods And Medication Effects

One of the complications of PD is that medication effects can wear off throughout the day, leading to a re-emergence of PD symptoms, often described as off periods.

The key to managing the off periods often lies in timing. Many people who have PD can observe trends in physical function throughout the day. You can keep track of your symptomatic changes throughout the day with a diary, and work with your healthcare provider to adjust your medication schedule for optimal function during the times when you need it most.

The medications that are used to treat PD can produce physical side effects as well. You might begin to experience writhing movements and other involuntary movements that are often described as dyskinesias. Often, medication adjustments can help reduce dyskinesias.

Many people who have PD find that getting regular exercise can help in regaining some physical control. Exercises such as dancing, , swimming, and other challenging skill-based physical activity can help build better motor controleven if you start in your 70s or later.

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What Causes Parkinsons Disease

The most prominent signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease occur when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement, become impaired and/or die. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce an important brain chemical known as dopamine. When the neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, which causes the movement problems associated with the disease. Scientists still do not know what causes the neurons to die.

People with Parkinsons disease also lose the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, the main chemical messenger of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls many functions of the body, such as heart rate and blood pressure. The loss of norepinephrine might help explain some of the non-movement features of Parkinsons, such as fatigue, irregular blood pressure, decreased movement of food through the digestive tract, and sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position.

Many brain cells of people with Parkinsons disease contain Lewy bodies, unusual clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein. Scientists are trying to better understand the normal and abnormal functions of alpha-synuclein and its relationship to genetic mutations that impact Parkinsons andLewy body dementia.

Symptoms Of Parkinson Disease

Usually, Parkinson disease begins subtly and progresses gradually.

The first symptom is

• Tremors in about two thirds of people

• Problems with movement or a reduced sense of smell in most of the others

Tremors typically have the following characteristics:

• Are coarse and rhythmic

• Usually occur in one hand while the hand is at rest

• Often involve the hand moving as if it is rolling small objects around

• May be worsened by emotional stress or fatigue

• May eventually progress to the other hand, the arms, and the legs

• May also affect the jaws, tongue, forehead, and eyelids and, to a lesser degree, the voice

In some people, a tremor never develops. Sometimes the tremor becomes less obvious as the disease progresses and muscles become stiffer.

Parkinson disease typically also causes the following symptoms:

Walking becomes difficult, especially taking the first step. Once started, people often shuffle, taking short steps, keeping their arms bent at the waist, and swinging their arms little or not at all. While walking, some people have difficulty stopping or turning. When the disease is advanced, some people suddenly stop walking because they feel as if their feet are glued to the ground . Other people unintentionally and gradually quicken their steps, breaking into a stumbling run to avoid falling. This symptom is called festination.

Parkinson disease also causes other symptoms:

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Consider Sex As A Biological Variable In Toxicant Exposure

Just as all biomedical research requires an equitable inclusion of women, measuring environmental risk for PD must also consider sex as a biological variable. While PD appears to be more prevalent in men , sexual dimorphisms are also apparent in PD symptoms . An initial hypothesis that men were more likely to be employed in occupations that elevated exposure risk, such as pesticide applicators and factory workers, potentially explains some, but not all of the gender disparity in PD. In fact, sex differences in PD prevalence may be geographically or culturally specific. One study from Japan found that PD prevalence in women was significantly higher than men however, it is unclear whether this increased female-to-male PD ratio is due specifically to the environment. In Japan, women historically outnumbered men as farmers suggesting exposure to agricultural pesticides could underlie this observation.

A Lower Protein Diet To Help Meds Work Better

Your diet can impact how well your medication helps to manage common Parkinsons symptoms, including tremors and constipation.

Diets heavy in protein, for instance, can limit your bodys absorption of levodopa in Sinemet, a common medication used in the management of Parkinsons disease. As a result, some doctors recommend that people with Parkinsons limit protein intake to 12 percent of their total daily calories. And taking your medication on an empty stomach before your meals can help your body absorb the drug, notes the Parkinsons Disease Foundation.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation recommends avoiding certain foods because of possible medication interactions, including:

In addition, fruits and vegetables in your diet may protect nerve cell function and possibly help keep Parkinsons symptoms under control. Fruits and veggies also provide fiber, which can stimulate bowel movement and prevent constipation. Ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist to help make it easier to follow a healthy diet.

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How You Lose Dopamine Production

Damaged nerve cells can be what results in a decreased ability of the brain to create dopamine. Generally, some kind of degradation of the brain cells will reduce dopamine production.

There is some genetic link to parkinsons disease. For example, specific genetic mutations can impact the dopamine production. Far more common is that exposure to something in the environment can impact the brain.

How Do I Take Care Of Myself

If you have Parkinsons disease, the best thing you can do is follow the guidance of your healthcare provider on how to take care of yourself.

• Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your medications can make a huge difference in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. You should take your medications as prescribed and talk to your provider if you notice side effects or start to feel like your medications aren’t as effective.
• See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications and dosages.
• Dont ignore or avoid symptoms. Parkinsons disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, many of which are treatable by treating the condition or the symptoms themselves. Treatment can make a major difference in keeping symptoms from having worse effects.

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