Parkinsons Disease

By: Joel Sweeting

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder, which affects the central nervous system. While it is widely known as Parkinsons disease, it also is known by other names such as Parkinson disease, Parkinson's, idiopathic Parkinsonism, hypokinetic rigid syndrome and paralysis agitans. The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease result from the death of dopamine-generating cells in the midbrain, though the cause of this cell death is unknown.

Symptoms This disorder has numerous symptoms. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related, which include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Later, cognitive and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of the disease. Other symptoms include sensory, sleep and emotional problems. PD is more common in the elderly, with most cases occurring after the age of 50.

Treatment This disorder has no know cure, but it can be treated. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. Medications control symptoms, mostly by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. At certain points during the day, the helpful effects of the medication often wear off, and symptoms can return.

Peripheral Neuropathy
By: Joel Sweeting
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder, where damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system has occurred. It may be caused either by diseases of or trauma to the nerve or the side effects of systemic illness. The four main forms of peripheral neuropathy are polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex, and autonomic neuropathy. The most common form is peripheral polyneuropathy, which mainly affects the feet and legs.

Symptoms Neuropathy may be associated with varying combinations of weakness, autonomic changes, and sensory changes. Loss of muscle bulk or fasciculations, a particular fine twitching of muscle, may be seen. Sensory symptoms encompass loss of sensation and "positive" phenomena including pain. Symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected (motor, sensory, or autonomic) and where the nerves are located in the body. One or more types of nerves may be affected. Common symptoms associated with damage to the motor nerve are muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms. Loss of balance and coordination may also occur. Damage to the sensory nerve can produce tingling, numbness, and a burning pain.[2] Pain associated with this nerve is described in various ways such as the following: burning, freezing, or electric-like, extreme sensitivity to touch. The autonomic nerve damage causes problems with involuntary functions leading to symptoms such as abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, reduced ability to perspire, constipation, bladder dysfunction (e.g., incontinence), and sexual dysfunction.[3]