Assessment and Management of Parkinson'S Disease: Nimra Faraz DPT

ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT OF
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
NIMRA FARAZ
DPT
WHAT IS PARKINSON’S?
• Parkinson’s is a disease in the nervous systemthat affects movement.

• It starts slowly and develops overtime. It starts with a tremor in one hand
• then can lead to stiffness and slower movement. Parkinson’s can not be cured but there is
medications that can help with symptoms.
SYMPTOMS:
• Tremor: Shaking that is normally found in the hands or fingers. Even when the hands and
fingers are relaxed a person with Parkinson’s can still experience shaking and tremoring.
• Slowed Movement: This can cause a person with Parkinson’s to drag their feet or make it
hard to get out of a chair. This also may make things to do more time consuming due to
slowed down movement.
• Rigid Muscles: Stiffness in muscles which can cause pain to the patient.
• Speech changes: You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking.
• Writing changes: It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
CAUSES:
• In Parkinson's disease, certain nerve cells (neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. Many of
the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in your brain called
dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to impaired
movement and other symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
• The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including:
• Genes: Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause Parkinson's disease. But
these are uncommon except in rare cases with many family members affected by Parkinson's disease.
• Environmental triggers: Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of
later Parkinson's disease, but the risk is relatively small.
RISK FACTORS:
• Age: Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It ordinarily begins in middle or late
life, and the risk increases with age. People usually develop the disease around age 60 or older.
• Heredity: Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chances that you'll
develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your
family with Parkinson's disease.
• Sex: Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women.
• Exposure to toxins: Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase your
risk of Parkinson's disease.
COMPLICATIONS:
• Thinking difficulties. You may experience cognitive problems (dementia) and thinking difficulties.
• Depression and emotional changes.
• Swallowing problems.
• Chewing and eating problems.
• Sleep problems and sleep disorders.
• Bladder problems.
• Constipation.
• Blood pressure changes
• Smell dysfunction
• Pain And Fatigue
• Sexual Dysfunction
ASSESSMENT:
• No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Your doctor trained in nervous system
conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a
review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
• Your doctor may suggest a specific single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)
scan called a dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan). Although this can help support the suspicion
that you have Parkinson's disease, it is your symptoms and neurologic examination that
ultimately determine the correct diagnosis. Most people do not require a DaTscan .
• Your doctor may order lab tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that may be
causing your symptoms.
• Imaging tests — such as an MRI, ultrasound of the brain, and PET scans — also may be used to help
rule out other disorders. Imaging tests aren't particularly helpful for diagnosing Parkinson's disease.
• In addition to your examination, your doctor may give you carbidopa-levodopa (Rytary, Sinemet,
others), a Parkinson's disease medication. You must be given a sufficient dose to show the benefit, as
low doses for a day or two aren't reliable. Significant improvement with this medication will often
confirm your diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
• Sometimes it takes time to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Doctors may recommend regular follow-up
appointments with neurologists trained in movement disorders to evaluate your condition and
symptoms over time and diagnose Parkinson's disease
MANAGEMENT:
• Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but medications can help control your symptoms,
often dramatically. In some more advanced cases, surgery may be advised.
• Your doctor may also recommend
• lifestyle changes, especially ongoing aerobic exercise.
• In some cases, physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching also is
important.
• A speech-language pathologist may help improve your speech problems.
• Tai chi: An ancient form of Chinese exercise, tai chi employs slow, flowing motions
that may improve flexibility, balance and muscle strength. Tai chi may also help prevent
falls. Several forms of tai chi are tailored for people of any age or physical condition. A
study showed that tai chi may improve the balance of people with mild to moderate
Parkinson's disease more than stretching and resistance training.
• Alexander technique: This technique — which focuses on muscle posture, balance
and thinking about how you use muscles — may reduce muscle tension and pain.
• In the later stages of the disease, you may fall more easily. In fact, you may be
thrown off balance by just a small push or bump. The following suggestions may
help:
• Make a U-turn instead of pivoting your body over your feet.
• Distribute your weight evenly between both feet, and don't lean.
• Avoid carrying things while you walk.
• Avoid walking backward.

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ASSESSMENT AND

• Parkinson’s is a disease in the nervous systemthat affects movement.

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