Parkinson’s Disease

by Jessica

Teen Health 8

Definition*Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and having difficulty walking, movement, and coordination.

* The part of the brain that is damaged is the part that controls muscle movement.

Cause of Parkinson’s Disease*Progressive deterioration of the nerve cells of thepart of the brain that controls muscle movement.

Number of Cases*The disease affects approximately 2 out of1,000 people.

*It most often develops after the age of 50.

*There are an estimated 1.5 million cases in the U.S.

Symptoms*Muscle rigity*Unstable or slumped over posture*Loss of balance*Walking pattern changes*Shuffling walk*Slow movements*Difficulty beginning to walk*Difficulty initiating any involuntarymovement.

Symptoms Continued*Small steps followed by the need to run to keepbalance.*Muscle aches and pains*Shaking

*Changes in facial expression

*Voice/speech changes

*Loss of fine motor skills

*Frequent falls

*Depression*Memory loss

Prognosis for Patients*If Parkinson’s Disease is untreated, it could lead to total disability, and it could lead resultin an early death.

*If it is treated, most people respond to the medications.

*Some side affects from the medication can be severe.

Current Research*Research is being done on a test that could detectParkinson’s Disease in its early stages before it affects movement and speech.

Michael J. Fox and Parkinson’s Disease

*Michael J. Fox is an actor and he announced on November 25, 1998, that he has had Parkinson’s Disease for seven years.

*He has had brain surgery to try and control his symptoms.

Conclusion*Parkinson’s Disease is very serious.

*Main symptoms are:-Loss of Balance-Shaking-Depression

BIBLIOGRAPHYYahoo. Parkinson’s Disease. Internet WWW page, at URL: http://health.yahoo.com/health/Diseases_and_ Conditions/Disease_Feed_Data/Parkinson_s_ Disease/ Ask Jeeves. Michael J. Fox and Parkinson’s Disease. Internet WWW page, at URL: http://askjeeves.com