A Quick Overview Of Modern Parkinson's Care

Parkinson's is a neurological disease that is progressive, inhibits motions, and is technically in the category of a movement disorder. This disease happens when dopamine-producing nerve cells inside the brain start to die -- lowering the number of these cells down to a level that is insufficient for the brain and nervous system to properly function. Because of the low level of the essential amounts of this neurotransmitter, people with this disease often need far more time to perform basic daily function -- which in turn often requires professional in home care to help with these functions.

It is not known exactly what causes the dopamine-producing cells in the brain to perish, though researchers suggest that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are necessary to cause the die-off. Approximately 1 in 300 Americans will develop Parkinson's, one quarter of them before they turn 50, and one in 20 before they turn 40.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease include tremors (especially at rest), slowness of movement, problems writing, loss of the sense of smell (and corresponding loss of taste), and difficulties making common facial expressions. Later symptoms include rigidity (stiffness), rapid tiring, and postural instability/loss of balance. While tremors are the most well-known symptom of Parkinson's, not everyone with Parkinson's will have tremors.

Sufferers may also experience symptoms such as pain, exhaustion, and constipation -- these "non-motor symptoms" are quite often the most debilitating parts of this disease.

Parkinson's Dementia

Around 80% of people who suffer from Parkinson's will also suffer from some form of dementia at some point (this can require an even more intense level of in home care). This can take the form of hallucinations, delusions, slow thought, amnesia, and inability to focus. Like many of the symptoms of Parkinson's, these aspects can be worse in the evening and not as bad in the morning.

Common Medicationss Prescribed for Parkinson's Care

-Levodopa -- Can be used at all stages of Parkinson's care. Replaces lost dopamine.

-Dopamine Agonists -- Stimulate nerve cells in the same way dopamine does.

-Apomorphine -- The strongest form of dopamine agonist, used for long-term Parkinson's sufferers.

-Amandatine -- a glutamine agonist, used to treat tremors and rigidity

-Anticholinergics -- block communication between nerves and muscles; used to reduce mild tremors early on in the disease's progression.

-COMT inhibitors -- used alongside Levodopa; extends Levodopa's lifespan in the body.

-MAO-B inhibitors -- prevents the body's natural process of breaking down dopamine, allowing naturally-produced dopamine to last longer.

There are few treatments and no known cures for Parkinson's Disease.

Medications

The primary method of Parkinson's care is medication, using the drugs mentioned earlier. Each individual will require a carefully balanced combination of medications depending on their unique set of symptoms and other health circumstances. The timing of the medication is vital, and thus it is critical that all participants in the patient's care communicate clearly with each other about timing and dosages.

If patients do not receive the appropriate doses at the appropriate times, the consequences can be quite serious. They may suddenly become unable to eat, drink, or use the bathroom independently. Furthermore, once the symptoms have become uncontrolled, it can be very difficult to get them under control again.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgery that can help some of the symptoms of Parkinson's. It's not suitable for every patient, but for those it will work for, it can alleviate rigidity, improve movement speed, and reduce tremors. It can also enable smaller amounts of the prescribed medications to be effective.

The DBS operation plants a small electrode in the brain that fires regularly, short-circuiting two parts of the brain -- the thalamus and the pallidus -- that act as relays between the brain and the body, helping to prevent 'unwanted' nervous impulses from reaching the body.

Parkinson's Nurses

Specialists in Parkinson's care, these nurses have essential skills such as clinical leadership, research awareness, care evaluation, knowledge development, and change agency. They offer professional advice and support to people engaged in Parkinson's care.

Parkinson's nurses are a vital part of caring for people suffering from this disease, because its fluctuations (and the corresponding changes in drug dosage) can be rapid.

Parkinson's care isn't an easy task -- but with the proper medications, nursing advice from an expert, and possible Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, quality of life can be maintained, however delicately, for decades.

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