HLTH201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Agnosia, Syphilis, Cognitive Reserve
15 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Parkinson"s disease caused by a shortage of dopamine (neurotransmitter) in the nerve cells in the part of the brain controlling muscle movement. Begins gradually but almost always becomes disabling over a period of years. ~3% of the elder pop has the disorder symptoms: involuntary shaking (tremors) at rest; body rigidity; mask-like expression; speech/gait disturbances; some develop slow thought processes and dementia. More common w/ advancing age; men more likely affected than women some genetic component and some association w/ pesticide exposure (small effects) symptoms of early part of disease are treated w/ lifestyle modifications. High-fibre diet prevents constipation that accompanies disorder. Exercise/physical therapy helps ability to walk, range of motion/muscle tone/strength, improves balance (reduce falls) Speech therapy improves quality of speech and ability to swallow. L-dopa (levodopa) reduces symptoms; replaces dopamine in nerve cells of brain. Side effects; less effective as disease worsens. New drugs used alone or in combo w/ l-dopa.
