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Parkinson


This is caused by the brain's slowness in transmitting instructions to appropriate sections of the body. Last but not least, walking problems include a decreased or no arm swing at all, short, shuffling steps, difficulty in directing turns, and sudden freezing spells (Lachs, 2002). .
             Secondary symptoms of Parkinson's Disease include depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and sexual function (www.pdf.org, 1999). The actual cause of PD in not known. As stated by Parkinson's Disease Foundation, (1999), "Although a defective gene was recently found in a few families with extraordinarily high incidences of PD, most researchers believe that in the vast majority of cases, genetic factors alone are not responsible for causing the disease." .
             There is no cure for Parkinson's, but there are ways to slow the progression of this disease. One medication, Levodopa, is a substance that is transformed into dopamine by the brain. Unfortunately, patients on this drug experience side effects such as severe nausea and vomiting. Next, Symmetrel, which was originally an anti-flu medication, works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine or by increasing the release of dopamine by neurons. Also, Anticholinergics act to decrease the activity of the balancing neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. It is most effective in the control of tremor, but it tends to cause confusion and hallucination in certain older patients. Lastly, scientists in the UK have developed a treatment that appears to reverse brain deterioration in people with PD. Though the long term value of this treatment has not been demonstrated, scientists at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol think that it may form the foundation of an effective therapy within four to five years (Chemistry and Industry, 2002).
             Medication is not the only treatment for Parkinson's disease.


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