Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that is diagnosed in an estimated 60,000 Americans each year. It occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in certain parts of the brain die or become impaired and can no longer produce dopamine, the chemical that enables the body to coordinate muscles and movement. Symptoms begin to appear when approximately 80 percent of the cells that produce dopamine are damaged.

More than 1 million people with the disease typically show signs of tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face, as well slowness of movement, stiffness and problems with balance. Both men and women can be affected by Parkinson’s disease, which also crosses all social, ethnic, economic and geographic boundaries.

Although a small number of patients may be diagnosed under the age of 50, most cases of Parkinson’s disease are identified in people over 65. Blood tests and X-rays cannot be used to diagnose the disease. Rather, blood tests and brain scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. The diagnosis may then be confirmed after a thorough examination. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but symptoms can be managed through medications, surgery or a combination of both.

One of the more commonly prescribed medications for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa. This medicine can reduce symptoms of slowness, stiffness and tremor. Levodopa works in the brain where it is converted into dopamine. It is always taken in conjunction with an enzyme inhibitor called carbidopa because blood enzymes would break down most of the levodopa before it could reach the brain.

Substitutes for levodopa, called dopamine agonists, have been developed that do not have to be taken with an enzyme inhibitor. However, these medications tend to cause other side effects. Medications that do not stimulate dopamine production also can be taken to manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Medications should be managed under close physician supervision because each person reacts differently to different drugs.

Deep brain stimulation offers a surgical alternative to medications to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This procedure involves surgically implanting a battery-operated medical device called a neurostimulator. Similar to a heart pacemaker, it delivers electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain that control movement and blocks abnormal nerve signals that cause symptoms. The neurostimulator is about the size of stopwatch and usually is implanted under the skin near the collarbone. It is attached by an extension wire passed under the skin of the shoulder, neck and head to an electrode, or lead, which is implanted into the brain through a small opening in the skull.

The deep brain stimulation system provides continuous symptom control and can be adjusted as needed. It does not damage healthy brain tissue and can be reversed if necessary. Medications may still be required, but at reduced levels for most patients.

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How to Prevent Common Brain Injuries

The brain is a complex organ. It has various parts responsible for concentration, processing and remembering information, decision-making, problem-solving, interpretation of senses, body movement and ability to speak, to name just a few.

Injuring your brain can take a toll on your life in a matter of seconds. It can affect your cognitive function, language, physical movements and more. To help you be aware and avoid brain injuries, here is information about symptoms and how you may be able to prevent an injury.

What is a Brain Injury?

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, an acquired brain injury occurs after birth. It is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative or induced by birth trauma. The damages they cause depend on its type and gravity.

Types of Brain Injury

There are two types of acquired brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) roots from external forces. It occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue and/or when the head hits an object at a great impact.

Common causes include assaults, falls, vehicular accidents, sports/recreation injuries, child abuse, domestic violence and gunshot wounds. The effect of a TBI on a person can range from mild to severe, depending on its damage to the brain.
Non-traumatic Brain Injury
Non-traumatic brain injury roots from internal forces such as complications in other parts of the body, viruses and infectious diseases. Common causes include drug overdose, stroke, seizures, tumors, toxic exposure, metabolic disorder, lack of oxygen, meningitis, etc.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

If the TBI injury is mild, a person may experience unconsciousness for a few seconds or minutes after the impact. Symptoms of both mild traumatic and non-traumatic injuries include blurry vision, confusion, bad taste in the mouth, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, ringing in the ear, short attention span and trouble with memory and/or thinking.

On the other hand, a moderate to severe brain injury may show the same symptoms as above, but the headache could be worse and the other symptoms could last longer. They can also cause nausea and/or vomiting, agitation, seizures, slurred speech, loss of coordination, restlessness, weakness or numbness in the extremities and dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes.

General Preventive Measures

You can reduce your chances of acquiring traumatic brain injuries by keeping these general preventive measures:

Wear a seat belt every time you ride or drive a vehicle, whether it’s a motorcycle, car, public transportation or even an airplane.
Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle, when using a skateboard, when playing contact sports such as football, boxing, ice hockey, baseball and softball.
Pay attention to things that can cause you to trip (e.g. wet floor, fallen clothing, wet mats/rugs, pens on the floor, etc.).
Be extra careful when using the stairs or when walking on a narrow road.
Obey traffic rules to prevent road accidents.
Cover your head during emergencies such as fire, earthquake and other natural disasters.
Check in with your doctor to get your eyes checked and/or to evaluate if you are at risk of falling.

Final Thoughts

Brain injuries are unpredictable. Remain attentive and practice safety measures to avoid accidents, sickness and circumstances that can eventually lead to brain injury.

Meanwhile, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please consult your doctor to detect potential medical conditions as soon as possible.

Sources:

Brain Injury Association of America

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke