Let’s discuss Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease also known as idiopathic or primary Parkinsonism, hypokinetic, rigid syndrome or paralysis agitans. Parkinson is the "degenerative" disorder of the central nervous system. And the phrase “degenerative” indicates Gradually loss of structure or function of neurons or we can say progressive death of neurons" And what are the neurons? Neuron also known as nerve cells are electrically excitable cell that carry information and send it to other cells via chemical and electrical signals. Neurons are the dedicated parts of a nervous system. Nervous system with the brain and spinal cord comprise Central Nervous System (CNS). That means PD frequently induces central nervous system and so affect our nerve cells our brain and our spinal cord.
Parkinson's disease causes the death of Dopamine."Dopamine", is a hormone or a chemical released by nerve cells that help to send signals from one cell to other. Dopamine hormone also plays an important role in our brain; it increases one's reward-motivated behaviour. Most types of rewards increase the level of dopamine in the brain and a variety of addictive drugs increase dopamine neuronal activity. Parkinson's disease is related to the loss of Dopamine-"secreting neurons in the midbrain area called the substantia nigra" Altered level of dopamine hormones include the evidence of common symptoms like false beliefs (delusion), uncertain or confused thinking, auditory hallucinations, condensed (Reduced) public engagement and emotional expression and inactivity. Other most common symptoms are movement-related that includes vibration (shaking), inflexibility (rigidity), slowness of movement and difficulty with walking whereas depression is the most common psychiatric symptom. Parkinson diseases are the more common problem in the people after the age of 50.
In most of the people, Parkinson's disease is idiopathic (that have no specific known cause). However, in a small proportion of cases it is a genetic problem.
Environmental Factors: - Some of the environmental factors includes a pesticide experience (exposure), head injuries, "Rural surroundings and drinking of well water may be risks as they are indirect measures of exposure to pesticides."
Genetics Factor :- Parkinson's disease generally considered as a non-genetic disorder, around 15% of people with Parkinson's disease who have a first-degree relative who has the disease. At least 5% of people are now known to have forms of the disease that occur because of a transformation of one of the several specific genes.
A physician will diagnose Parkinson's disease from the medical history and a neurological examination. There is no lab examination that will clearly recognize the disease, but head scans are sometimes used to rule out disorders that could give rise to similar symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans of people with PD usually emerge common. These techniques are yet useful to rule out other diseases that can be secondary causes of Parkinsonism, such as basal ganglia tumours, vascular pathology and hydrocephalus.
Caffeine consumption appears protective against Parkinson's disease with a greater decrease in risk occurring with a larger intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee. Even though tobacco smoke causes unfavourable health effects, decreases life expectation and excellence of life, it may decrease the danger of Parkinson’s disease by a third when compared to non-smokers. The origin of this result is not known, but circumstance includes an effect of nicotine as a dopamine energizer. Tobacco smoke contains compounds that act as MAO inhibitors that also might contribute to this effect.
Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and D, have been suggested to protect against the disease but results of studies have been contradictory and no positive effect has been proven. The results consider fat and fatty acids have been conflicting, with various studies reporting shielding effects, risk-increasing effects or no effects. Also, there have been introductory implications of a possible protective role of estrogens and anti-inflammatory drugs.