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Primary Parkinsonism12345oi09jkl
Primary Parkinsonism12345oi09jkl
Primary Parkinsonism12345oi09jkl
Levodopa (also called L-dopa) is the most commonly prescribed and most effective medicine
for controlling the symptoms of PD, particularly bradykinesia and rigidity. Levodopa is a
chemical found naturally in our brains. When given as a medicine, it is transported to the nerve
cells in the brain that produce dopamine
Primary parkinsonism
Most patients (about 80–85%) diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have what
is called primary parkinsonism or idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (meaning
that the disease has no known cause). This type tends to respond well to
drugs that work by increasing or substituting dopamine molecules in the
brain.
Secondary parkinsonism -
Fortunately, levodopa can cross the blood brain barrier
and, as it is a 'precursor' to dopamine, the body can
turn it into dopamine. When someone takes tablet
of levodopa, the idea is that it travels to the brain
where cells can turn it into dopamine.
secondary parkinsonism is when symptoms similar to Parkinson
disease are caused by certain medicines, a different nervous system
disorder, or another illness. Parkinsonism refers to any condition that
involves the types of movement problems seen in Parkinson disease.
In these cases, the cause of the disease is generally known and although it is
very difficult to differentiate idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and secondary
parkinsonism, a key difference is that patients with secondary parkinsonism
do not respond well to dopaminergic medications such as levodopa.
The symptoms of NSA are very similar to those seen in vascular parkinsonism. The
condition can be treated by removing spinal fluid in the short term or by lumbar
puncture to permanently divert the spinal fluid as a long-term treatment.
Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) - The causes of corticobasal
degeneration are unknown, but research suggests that a protein in the brain called tau
may play a role in the disease. A buildup of tau in brain cells may lead to their
deterioration and the symptoms of corticobasal degeneration
CBD is caused by a build-up of proteins called tau, which damage parts of the brain.
The condition tends to start on one side of the body and slowly spread to other areas
over time. This is the least common of the atypical parkinsonisms.
PSP is one of the more common forms of secondary parkinsonism. As with idiopathic
Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy has a late age of onset, but the
symptoms tend to progress far more rapidly once they appear.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) - The cause of MSA is unknown. The
vast majority of cases are sporadic, meaning they occur at random. A distinguishing
feature of MSA is the accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein in glia, the cells that
support nerve cells in the brain.
There are also several conditions associated with Parkinson’s disease. One
such condition is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), or Lewy Body Dementia
(LBD), which is a particular form of dementia associated with Parkinson’s
disease. DLB is caused by Lewy bodies (clumps of alpha-synuclein protein)
forming in the brain. The condition tends to occur early in the progression of
the disease and leads to a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions
such as thinking, memory, and judgment.
Movement Symptoms
There is no single test or scan for Parkinson’s, but there are three telltale symptoms
that help doctors make a diagnosis:
1. Bradykinesia means slowness of movement
2. Tremor shaking movement in one or more parts of your body.
3. Rigidity Muscle stiffness
Non-Movement Symptoms
Cognitive changes: problems with attention, planning, language, memory or
even dementia
Constipation
Early satiety: feeling of fullness after eating small amounts
Excessive sweating, often when wearing off medications
Fatigue
Increase in dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
Hallucinations and delusions
Lightheadedness (orthostatic hypotension): drop in blood pressure when
standing
Loss of sense of smell or taste
Mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, apathy and irritability
Pain
Sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction
Sleep disorders, such as insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), REM
sleep behavior disorder (RBD), vivid dreams, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence
Vision problems, especially when attempting to read items up close
Weight loss