Parkinson’s disease is mostly seen in individuals older than 60, and is included in the disease group classified as progressive, that is degenerative diseases of the brain. One of the substances that ensure the electrical transmission between brain cells is dopamine. The brain area that operates with dopamine is the area that ensures movements carried out in accordance with the intention, that is, it is the area that provides for the fine adjustment of our movements. Parkinson’s disease appears with the loss of 60 to 80% of cells communicating through dopamine.
This disease presenting with slowness of movement, resting tremor and psychiatric disorders is mostly seen in individuals older than sixty years of age. However, it can only be seen in 40s also with genetic reasons. Drug therapy is the first choice in treatment. However, the “brain battery” method can be preferred in some individuals if drug therapy is insufficient or in case of intense adverse effects.
Parkinson’s disease almost always starts in one half of the body and then progresses to the other half within years. The main symptoms are slowing down of movements and/or tremor. It shows itself commonly with tremor in hands or feet during resting and stiffness of joints. In time, one- or two-sided reduction or loss in the swinging movements or arms, reduction in stride length, difficulties in starting to walk, difficulties in buttoning or unbuttoning clothes, difficulties in turning in bed or in standing up when sitting, facial masking, speaking with a low and husky voice, handwriting becoming smaller, stooping forward/ becoming hunchback can be seen. Impairment of gait, balance deficits or freezing during movement appear at advanced stages, and falls can also follow. Senility can be added to the picture in some patients – even rare.
The Parkinson’s disease, which is one of the numerous diseases arising from cellular loss in brain, is the disease that gives the best response to treatment. However, since the disease progresses with a slow course, the patient must remain under the continuous control of a doctor. Applying to a neurologist as soon as the appearance of the signs has the utmost significance as regards the treatment. Treatment in the early period will slow down progression and improve the quality of life. Many different treatments can be administered by the specialist based on the stages of the disease.