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Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a disease that is degenerative in nature, whereby the brain is affected leading to the impairment of functional parts of the body relating to motor movement, speaking and other functions (Perkin, 1998). The major primary cause of this disease is the loss of cells in the brain that produce dopamine (p. 12). Other causes which are secondary in nature include drugs causing toxicity in the body, or it might occur as a result of trauma on the head. Parkinson disease has been associated with people who are mostly fifty years and above and leads to slowing or freezing of movement among those who suffer from it (Fischer, 2007).
The disease can either be genetically caused or as a result of other factors. Genetic predisposition may cause a person to have less dopamine; which performs the task of sending chemical messages to the brain (Smith, 2005). Some people with some specific genetic mutations have been found to get it. Additionally, people who suffer from it are more likely to have relatives that also have the disease. Other causes which are not genetic in nature may be a result of exposure to toxins in the environment. Some toxins present in pesticides and various like iron have been seen as major causes (Goldberg, 2002).
Main body
There are various side effects and symptoms that are associated with this disease. These symptoms are both motor related and non-motor related. The development of the disease is gradual and it mostly starts with subtle tremors in the hands (p. 9). The effects of each individual suffer may differ, and also the rate of progression is not the same. People with this disease experience slowed motion, and ass it progresses, it may impair the ability of one to move voluntarily out of one’s own initiation. Muscles may also become stiff and sometimes painful, and hence reducing a person’s ability to move freely. Further effects include poor posture and balance leading to stooped posture, especially when a person has succumbed to more advanced stages of the disease (Smith, p. 16). The other non motor related symptoms include emotional problems like depression and disruptions in sleep patterns. They encounter problems whereby they have trouble when trying to fall asleep during the night; and also experience sporadic sleep attacks during the day time (Perkin, p. 19). Problems affecting memory start occurring in the later stages of the disease.
Even though Parkinson disease cannot be cured by any known conventional medicine, there are different ways through which it is managed in order to reduce the symptoms. Accurate diagnosis of the disease is very difficult since current laboratory tests have not been able to diagnose sporadic cases of the disease (Goldberg, p. 6). Testing of the disease is mostly done through examination of medical histories and the brains of those who suffer from it. The most effective treatment involves the combination of several medications and occupational therapy (p. 8). Medication treatment includes use of drugs like levodopa and anticholinergics to manage the tremors that occur as a result of the disease (p. 8).
Use of occupational methods in the management of the disease is meant to encourage the regaining of abilities lost by suffers through use of activities that are creative and operative, and that can bring more meaningful recovery. It aims to assist the sufferers to recover lost functionalities and also help in building the capability to carry out daily duties. Occupational treatment also helps persons to come up with new tasks and activities to compensate for the loss of their inability to continue participating in usual activities. Thus, it helps them to adjust to their environment, both physically and socially. Occupational therapy helps in dealing with the symptoms that affect sufferers from being able to do normal activities like pursuing a hobby, doing constructive work or just taking care of oneself.
Areas where occupational therapy is carried out include assisting in providing of handwriting aids and resources to suffer since they have lost co-ordination in their hands (Fischer, p. 35). Other therapies include making various modifications in homes, offices and vehicles that are used by the sufferers. This is meant to promote their independence and productivity. Other occupational therapy activities include modifying the equipment at the workplace and developing new and safe leisure activities. Occupational therapy is mostly combined with physical therapy in order to promote effective management of the disease (Goldberg, p. 8). Physical therapy is associated with the improvement of motor activities and balance in sufferers. Good balanced diet is also important in assisting the body to maintain itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Parkinson disease is one the diseases that affects mostly old people and it has been attribute to various factors, both genetic and environmental. Even though it leads to various symptoms and side effects that make it difficult to carry out normal activities, different medications and therapies can be used to manage the disease and help the sufferers live a productive life.
References
Perkin, J. (1998). Speech characteristics in Parkinson’s disease. E-journal of Parkinson disease, 5 (1). Web.
Smith, F. (2005). Comparative analysis of Parkinson’s symptoms. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 122 (3), 21-35. Web.
Goldberg, K. (2002). Voice treatment for Parkinson’s disease: Medical and behavioral perspectives. Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners, 56 (7), 7-8. Web.
Fischer, P. (2007). Parkinson’s disease and the U.S. Health care system. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 73 (3), 34-46. Web.
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