Parkinson's, also commonly referred to as 'tremor', is a progressive nervous system disorder with a significant impact on living standards due to damage to brain cells. Its onset is proportional to the symptoms of movement system disruption and Parkinson's is a disease that can be treated early. It is usually seen in people in their 60s, but can also occur at an earlier age. Today, it is becoming more and more common with the increase in life expectancy.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's is the name of a disease that occurs in later life due to a decrease and damage to the dopamine-secreting cells of the brain, leading to movement disorders and involuntary movements. Parkinson's disease is a slow-moving movement disorder that progresses with the loss of brain cells and is more common in men than in women. This is a manageable disease. The disease occurs in advanced ages and is most common between the ages of 40 and 70. The incidence rate of this disease in the population aged 65 and over is around 1%.
What are the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder. Its onset is proportional to the symptoms of movement system disruption. These symptoms are as follows;
- Hand tremor
- Tremor starting in the thumb
- Inability to swing your arms
- Inability to get out of bed
- Slow progress while walking
- Falls in the elderly
- Weakness of movement and impaired balance
As time passes, it manifests itself with reasons such as leaning forward. It is also a disease that restricts movement. The severe course of the disease is often initially associated with the normal aging process, depression or joint disorders.
What are the causes of Parkinson's disease?
The most important cause of Parkinson's disease is old age and it occurs after the age of 65. However, not every elderly person has this disease. In the researches conducted, it is more common in men and it has been observed that it occurs for various reasons in the movement factors of the brain.
According to the researches, those who live in the village, rural areas and smokers have a higher risk of developing this disease, but this risk can be slightly reduced in individuals with high coffee consumption.
How is Parkinson's Disease Treated?
Parkinson's is a disease that patients cannot fully know and express. They try to explain it based on the situations they experience. Early diagnosis is very important in Parkinson's. It positively affects the quality of life. Parkinson's is a treatable disease. We have different treatment methods and different medication options. We adjust them according to the age and other diseases of our patients. For some patients, brain pacemaker implantation gives very positive results and each treatment is individualized.