Parkinson's disease-causes and symptoms

 WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

It is a neurodegenerative disease. Most commonly seen in adults over the age of 50.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

This occurs due to the low levels of the neurotransmitter named dopamine.

The low dopamine levels are due to the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia.

The basal ganglia is a structure present in the brain which deals with movements of the body.

SYMPTOMS 

 Resting tremors: shakiness of hands or legs when the person is at rest 

Rigidity in movement: unable to move the body freely

Mask-like face: expression-less face

Loss of balance

Anxiety

Constipation

Difficulty in sleeping

What are the causes of Parkinson's disease?

The causes of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Genetics and family history
• Frequent exposure to pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides
  
• Lewy bodies that are abnormal clumps of proteins found in the brain stem of people with Parkinson’s disease which affect brain functions
• Loss of dopamine production in the brain when cells that produce dopamine are damaged