Parkinson's disease ia a neurological disease which is both progressive and degenerative. Currently, there is no known cure. The disease is caused by the loss of dopamine cells in the middle part of the brain, called the substantia nigra. By the time symptoms usually appear, 80% of the dopamine producing cells have died.

Generally, Parkinson's disease affects those over the age of 65, but can strike people of any age, even teenagers. Approximately 10-15 percent of people diagnosed are under the age of 50. People who are diagnosed under the age of 40 are considered to have Young Onset Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms vary so widely among individuals. Also, there are no test designed for the diagnosis of Parkinson's. Diagnosis is typically made when all the of the characteristic signs are present: resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykensia.

The most common physical symptoms are resting tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, freezing (inability to move), and poor balance. In addition to these major symptoms, there are a wide varieity of minor symptoms. Some of the minor symptoms are low soft voice, handwriting that is small in size, masked face, dandruff, oily skin, difficulty swallowing, pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, depression, sleep disturbances, and sexual problems.

Medications are available to ease the symptoms of Parkinson's, but none are currently available to stop the progression of the disease. Other options to help ease symptoms would be to eat a proper diet, excersise, and find ways to reduce stress. Also, to the best of one's abilitly, continue to socialize. It is important to note though, at some point in the disease's progression, the drugs will fail and other options will have to be discussed.

In the late stages of the disease, patients may become completely disabled, confined to a wheelchair, or bedridden.

Tags & Keywords : parkinson's disease, neurlogical disorders