Parkinsonism is a pathological condition manifested by periodic shaking of the head and lower/upper limbs (tremor), impaired motor activity and high muscle tone. A patient with Parkinson's disease also has these symptoms, but these two concepts are different. Parkinson's disease is an independent disease, and parkinsonism is a set of symptoms that can appear after a head injury or poisoning.
Causes of parkinsonism
This syndrome develops against the background of the death of brain cells, which is accompanied by the cessation of the production and entry of dopamine into the body. It is this mechanism of pathology development that leads to persistent or periodic tremor. Causes of parkinsonism:
- severe poisoning with carbon monoxide or manganese compounds;
- severe brain injuries;
- disruption of blood circulation in the vessels of the brain;
- infectious diseases occurring in a severe form - encephalitis after a tick bite, syphilis, flu;
- benign/malignant neoplasms of the brain.
How parkinsonism manifests itself
Symptoms and signs of Parkinson's disease are similar to the manifestations of parkinsonism and are not only tremors. The patient has:
- hunched back and head bent forward;
- specific gait - the patient walks with small steps and shuffles;
- slow movements;
- monotony of speech;
- deterioration of memory, lack of emotions;
- strong salivation (in some cases, saliva constantly flows from the patient's mouth).
If a person develops vascular parkinsonism, severe headaches and dizziness, inability to get up quickly from bed or a chair, paralysis or paresis will be added to the main symptoms. Such symptoms are diagnosed after a stroke or against the background of impaired cerebral circulation of a chronic course.
Please note: with long-term use of specific drugs (usually those used to treat psychiatric diseases), the above-mentioned symptoms may also appear. In this case, ""medical parkinsonism"" will be diagnosed.
The syndrome never starts suddenly, it develops slowly. At first, the patient suffers from dizziness and his memory deteriorates, then unsteady gait and mild tremors join. Like the stages of Parkinson's disease, the syndrome progresses and, in the absence of treatment, becomes pronounced.
Medicine is well aware that it is quite possible to slow down the development of Parkinson's disease, but it will not be possible to completely cure the patient. The difference between parkinsonism is that when the cause of this syndrome is identified, it is possible to eliminate it and restore health. For example, if a benign/malignant tumor is diagnosed, then surgery would be a good choice to treat parkinsonism.
How is the treatment of parkinsonism:
- Depamine-containing drugs are prescribed.
- It is appropriate to use means that can stop the death of brain cells and slow down this process. Such means belong to the group of neuroprotectors.
- If the patient is in a bad mood with a disturbed psycho-emotional background, antidepressants are prescribed.
Exercise and active activities play an important role in recovery. Doctors usually recommend playing ball, dancing, swimming in the pool. But you can't choose physical activity on your own, because any type of exercise is prohibited in case of vascular parkinsonism.
Modern medicine suggests using deep brain stimulation. For this purpose, electrodes connected to a special device are inserted into the brain. It is this design that transmits impulses to the brain that reduce the intensity of the symptoms and the person no longer feels strong tremors or stiffness of movements.
There are also developments for surgical intervention, but they are used rarely and only if medical treatment has not given positive results.
Possible complications and prevention
If there is no treatment for parkinsonism or it is carried out without the supervision of medical professionals, immobility and the complete inability to care for oneself may develop in the future. In addition, as the syndrome progresses, intellectual disorders occur - the patient loses his memory, ceases to orient himself in space, does not understand what is happening around him.
Prevention of parkinsonism consists in the timely treatment of any infectious diseases, control of blood pressure (too high can provoke a stroke, and this threatens vascular parkinsonism).
Any questions about the development and danger of parkinsonism can be asked to specialists whose contacts are on the pages of our site Dobrobut.com.
Related services:
Consultation of a neurologist
Block of intensive therapy
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