Parkinson's disease and life expectancy, initial signs, stages
Parkinson's disease is a disease known to mankind since ancient times. In the XIX century doctor D. Parkinson described the characteristic symptoms and came to the conclusion that this is a trembling paralysis. The disease was named in honor of the scientist - Parkinson's disease. What is it? How does modern medicine see this disease and the methods of its treatment?
Characteristic of
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, primarily affecting the work of the musculoskeletal system. It mainly occurs in the elderly( after 70-80 years), but there are also cases of the development of the disease after 40 years. The statistics show that every 500 inhabitants of the planet suffers from this ailment.
Many people consider Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease to be similar. In both cases, the CNS is affected to some extent, but the mechanism of development is very different. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by cognitive disorders, and Parkinson's is disrupted primarily by the locomotor apparatus.
Anatomy of the disease
The CNS is responsible for the movements. Once a person only thinks about what he wants to accomplish, the cortex of the brain already signals to all systems that will be involved in the operation. One of the receiving sides is the basal ganglia. It is an element of white matter in the form of neuron nodes that participate in complex and complex movements. The quality of the impulses transmitted depends on how precise, qualitative and fast the action will be.
Regulates the process of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Parkinson's disease affects some parts of the basal ganglia, resulting in impaired conduction of nerve impulses. In addition, patients have a decrease in the level of dopamine, which is responsible for inhibition of the constant exciting signals of the brain. As a result, some of them are transferred directly to the muscles and stimulates their reduction. What provokes hypertonia and frequent jitter, explained by the constant tension of the muscle tissue.
Causes of
It has been a long time since the combination of symptoms began to be treated as a separate disease. The mechanism of violations of the CNS in many ways still appears only theoretically, in particular Parkinson's disease. What is this - the scientists know, but what contributes to his education is not known. Presumably, the following factors influence the development of the disease:
- , aging of the body is a natural decrease in the number of nerve cells and the production of dopamine;
- hereditary factor - the existence of the gene for Parkinson's disease has not been scientifically confirmed, but 10% of the diseased in the genealogical tree have a relative with a similar pathology;
- prolonged intoxication( exposure to heavy metals, toxins, pesticides);
- use of antipsychotics( reduce the production of dopamine and may provoke the disease);
- trauma and brain tumor;
- stress, poor sleep and nutrition, lack of vitamins;
- Other diseases.
The causes of Parkinson's disease and treatment directly depend on each other. The doctor will proceed from the fact that it provoked the development of conduction disorders of nerve impulses. Qualitative treatment of the underlying causes will give good results in the overall therapy of the disease.
Symptoms of
Knowing the first signs of the disease can help in early diagnosis and treatment, which increases the chances of recovery and life expectancy. In the table we consider the main symptoms and the nature of their occurrence:
| Symptom | Characteristic |
| Tremor( trembling) | Occurs in the limbs, lower jaw, eyelids, head. It is manifested as uncontrolled tremor, which is explained by excessive reduction of muscle tissue |
| Rigidity | Decreased dopamine leads to the absence of inhibition of muscle contractions, which leads to a tone. As a result, the muscles become firm, lose elasticity and mobility. Feels in the form of stiffness of movements |
| Hypokinesia | Disturbances in the structure of the basal ganglia lead to a decrease in motor activity. Actions performed slowly and with difficulty |
| Bradifrenia | Decreased thought processes, slow and silent speech. It arises due to the breakdown of nerve cells and the lack of dopamine |
| Instability of movements | The destruction of the basal ganglia leads to difficulty keeping the balance, as a result of which the gait is disturbed: steps become short and slow |
| Mental disorders | The development of the disease leads to a decrease in mental abilities, impaired consciousness, insomnia,depression, general weakness |
Patients with Parkinson's disease are constrained in movements. A characteristic picture of the kind of person: arms bent at the elbows and pressed to the trunk, the body is slightly bent, and the weight is shifted forward, the head is slightly extended. Noticeably the periodic trembling of the limbs, the face is calm, does not express any emotion.
Parkinson's disease and life expectancy
One of the most exciting patients and their relatives questions: "How many years after the diagnosis of the disease can you live?" The answer of specialists is: "With disease at an early age, the life expectancy is much higher than in the senile one."Recent studies indicate an average figure of 7.4 years. This is the time that an average person lives with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
And the life expectancy would be biased only based on the age of the patient. The speed of progression depends on many factors, which, fortunately, can now be influenced:
- the quality of care and care;
- country of residence;
- timeliness of diagnosis and initiation of therapy.
Studies conducted in Britain suggest that with CNS lesions occurring at the age of about 40 years, the average life expectancy is 39 years. It turns out that, regardless of whether the disease develops or not, a person has every chance to live to a very old age. Of course, this is only possible if the patient complies with a healthy lifestyle and therapeutic treatment aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.
Stages of development of
The disease does not arise from nowhere, it gradually progresses. Each stage is characterized by specific symptoms. Based on the form of Parkinson's disease, a method of treatment is determined. There are 6 stages of the disease:
- Initial( zero) - no symptoms, but you can already notice the increased absent-mindedness and forgetfulness.
- The first one-sided lesion, the signs are weak. At this stage, few people turn to the doctor.
- The second - the disease affects both limbs, the balance of the body is broken, the patient is difficult to maintain balance.
- Third - it becomes difficult to walk without support, tremor increases.
- Fourth - a complete lack of ability to independently exercise and walk, but the ability to stand without support remains. The patient needs careful care and help.
- Fifth - the person is bedridden, there is a complete loss of control over the musculoskeletal system.
Each of the stages of the development of the disease requires an individual approach. If initial symptoms occur, immediately consult a doctor. Early therapy will help to defeat Parkinson's disease and life expectancy will increase at times.
Diagnosis
When you call a doctor at any stage of the disease, a clinical examination is made, which helps to determine the exact diagnosis. The doctor relies on the following algorithm:
- examination and identification of signs confirming the presence of parkinsonism;
- definition of the nature of the disease: secondary parkinsonism, caused by heart disease and brain damage, or independent;
- confirmation of diagnosis on the basis of data collected by anamnesis and conducted laboratory and other diagnostic procedures.
Most often, modern diagnostics are used: CT, MRI, PET, or a cerebral vascular examination( REG, EEG).
As characteristic symptoms are signs that confirm muscle tone, the long course of the disease and its progression. For example, passive flexion of the joint should be accompanied by relaxation of the nearest muscles, and in the patient, on the contrary, their reduction occurs.
Medical methods of treatment of Parkinson's disease
The diagnosis does not always mean immediate treatment. The doctor evaluates all possible risks and complications, the duration of the disease and the speed of its progression. How to treat Parkinson's disease? The therapeutic effect is based on taking medications that are directed to the production of dopamine and blocking the elements of its destructive. For this purpose, the following agents are used:
- with dopamine, its precursors or agonists( Levodop, Lizurid, Ropinirole, Bromocriptin);
- blocking enzymes that contribute to the destruction of dopamine( MAO inhibitors and COMT);
- facilitating the release of the reserves of the neurotransmitter( "Bemantan", "Amantadine");
- blocking unnecessary excitation of neurons( "Biperiden", Trihexyphenidyl "," Protsiklidin "," Memantine "),
- antipsychotic, antihistamines, and antidepressants and muscle relaxants
In the early stages of thinking about how to treat Parkinson's disease with medications, oftenfor example, Levodop is considered a more serious drug and prefer to delay its use. Other groups of drugs( agonists, MAO inhibitors and COMT) act more gently and do not give a zabIt is due to such drugs that it becomes possible to delay the use of "Levodopa."
Treatment in the final stages of
Regardless of the nature of the course of the disease, in its development there comes a time when the disturbances become irreversible and significantly increase in quantity. Long application of the drug "Levodop"(about 5 years and more) leads to the formation of resistance to its effect. There arises the need to increase single doses, which entails other problems.
Treatment of a patient at the terminal stage is reduced to alleviating the disorders of consciousness, quality medical and household care. The dosage of the medications taken is regulated daily, depending on the body's response and effectiveness.
Methods of surgical treatment
Surgical intervention is rarely used, and only in cases when conservative treatment is powerless. The operation is performed on the brain: thalamus or cortex. Several approaches to this treatment have been developed:
- Electrostimulation of the motor parts of the brain - electrodes are inserted into the structure of the patient's brain, which connects to the neurostimulator implanted under the breast. The procedure slows down Parkinson's disease. Feedback about the operation is positive: the general condition improves, tone and stiffness of movements decrease, the disease progresses more slowly.
- Thalamotomy is a risky method, but sometimes it yields good results and restores the motor activity of the musculoskeletal system. It is the destruction of certain structures of the thalamus.
- Transplantation of dopaminergic tissue is an experimental approach based on the transplantation of a donor substance. Promotes normalization of dopamine production and restoration of motor functions.
Surgical intervention is an extreme method of treating Parkinson's disease. The world community of scientists is actively developing and improving existing methods of invasive and conservative effects on the brain.
Recommendations for Alternative Medicine
To maintain the body should revise the lifestyle, change some habits. The patient should give up harmful addictions, improve nutrition, have more time to rest and not be unnecessarily nervous. Physiotherapy, fresh air and professional massage, too, will not prevent to restore strength.
It is not forbidden to try and folk treatment of Parkinson's disease, based on the use of medicinal plants. In this case, do not forget about the need to take medication: natural remedies play a supporting role, but not the main one. For treatment, use lime, propolis, oats, sage, St. John's Wort. They have an anticonvulsant and relaxing muscle action.
Parkinson's disease and life expectancy directly depend on the severity of the brain lesions, the speed of progression, the current state of the patient. Early diagnosis and treatment, as a rule, provide up to 20-30 years of life.