Parkinsons Disease Treatment

Parkinsons Disease  is defined as a chronic, progressive disease of nervous system characterized by the cardinal features of

  • Rigidity
  • Akinesia
  • Bradykinesia
  • Tremor
  • Postural instability

 

Parkinsons Disease Causes

  • Parkinson’s disease (Primary parkinsonism): etiology is idiopathic.

 

Two distinct group are identified:

  • One group include postural instability and gait disturbances
  • Another group includes tremor as main features.
  • Post infectious parkinsonism (secondary parkinsonism): influenza, encephalitis lethargica, crypotococcal meningitis and Jacob- Creutzfeldt disease.
  • Toxic parkinsonism: exposure to certain chemicals (manganese, carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide, cynide, methanol).Most common toxins in manganese.
  • Pharmacological parkinsonism: drugs that produce extra pyramidal dysfunction leads to PD:

 

  • Neuroleptic drugs: chlorpromazine, haloperidol etc.
  • Antidepressants drugs: amitriptyline, amoxpine
  • antihypertensive: methyldopa
  • Metabolic: includes disorders of calcium metabolism, that results in calcification of BG. Others include hypoparathyroid, hypothyroidism and Wilson’s disease.
  • Akinetic/rigid syndrome with parkinsonian features: includes striatonigral degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, SHY-Drager syndrome etc.

 

Parkinsons Disease Clinical Features

Cardinal manifestations of Parkinson’s

Tremor

 

Rigidity

 

Bradykinesia

 

Postural instability

 

Secondary manifestations of parkinson’s disease

 

Incoordination

Edema

Micrographia

 Scoliosis

Blurred vision

Kyphosis

Impaired upgaze

Pain and sensory symptoms

Blepharospasm

Seborrhea

Glabellar reflex

Constipation

Dysarthria

Urinary urgency, hesitancy,and frequency

Dysphagia reflex

Loss of libido

Sialorrhea

Impotence

Masked face

Freezing

Hand and foot deformities

Dementia

Dystonia

Depression

Parkinsons Disease Physiotherapy Measures
  • Ability to Perform self care and home management is improved.
  • Disability associated with PD is reduced
  • Risk of secondary impairment is reduced
  • Joint integrity and mobility is maintained
  • Postural control and motor function is improved
  • Pain decreased
  • Gait, locomotion and balance improved
  • Strength, power and endurance are increased.