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Parkinson's Disease
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Parkinson's Disease Causes and Related Conditions
When the nerve cells within the basal ganglia of the brain are damaged or destroyed the brain is unable to adequately control the body's muscle tension and movement resulting in the trembling muscles and body stiffness associated with Parkinson's Disease. One theory concerning why these cells are destroyed states that as we age the liver loses its efficiency, and the cells are destroyed by the toxins that the less efficient liver can't filter out or detoxify. Others believe that environmental toxins and genetics play a part in who will get Parkinson's Disease. Free radical damage may also play a part in Parkinson's as free radicals steal electrons allowing dopamine to be lost through oxidation. The elderly will commonly develop drug-induced Parkinson's disease after having been prescribed antipsychotic drugs such as Haldol, Thorazine, Mellaril, and Stelazine. Antipsychotic drugs like these are often used to sedate nursing home patients with chronic anxiety and dementia (two nonpsychotic disorders). Many newly diagnosed Parkinson's patients will return to normal if these drugs are discontinued. As Parkinson's disease progresses drooling, loss of appetite, stiffness affecting both sides of the body, weakness, trembling muscles, a rigid posture, slow movements, a stooped, shuffling, unbalanced walk, constant trembling of the hands, head shaking, permanent rigid stoop, and an unblinking, fixed expression occur. 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. As mentioned above in the final stages of Parkinson's Disease one-third of sufferers will exhibit signs of dementia. Depression is also very common among those with Parkinson's Disease as they struggle to cope with the frustrating loss of control over their bodies and eventually over their lives.
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Parkinson's Disease Nutritional Support Strategies
Our Parkinson's Disease Self-management Program will give you nutrient association information as well as other helpful lifestyle changes for managing the disease.
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Parkinson's Disease or "shaking palsy" is a brain disorder that causes muscle tremor, stiffness, and weakness. Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease include muscular stiffness, a tendency to tire more easily than usual, and trembling that usually begins with a slight tremor in one hand, arm, or leg. This trembling is worse when the body is at rest but will generally stop when the body is in use, for example when the hand becomes occupied by "pill-rolling" or rubbing the thumb and forefinger together as if rolling a pill the tremor will stop.
The cause of Parkinson's Disease is unknown although there are several theories. Parkinson's patients lack dopamine in their brains (dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages from one nerve cell to another) because the cells that manufacture this important chemical messenger have been lost or blocked.