What is parkinsonism?
Parkinsonism is a group of neurodegenerative diseases. Pathologies included in this group are characterized by progressive damage to dopamine neurons in the central nervous system - the common characteristic symptom is tremors. Most diseases are chronic in nature and affect brain functions.
Parkinsonism is usually an age-related disease, and the diagnosis is much more common in men. Many forms of parkinsonism are observed in people over 60 years of age, although clinical cases are known to doctors when the patient is much younger.
The main symptoms are:
- Slow movement;
- Trembling;
- Stiffness or rigidity.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Unstable posture;
- The patient is unable to move, as if frozen in place, frozen;
- Bent posture.
Pathology is formed for many reasons, for example, it may develop as a result of a genetic mutation, a side effect of medication or an infection. Parkinsonism is not contagious.
For diagnosis, it is necessary to study the symptoms and medical history.
The course of treatment begins even if the specialist does not find a specific cause. If the patient's health condition does not respond to the selected treatment course, additional laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed.
It is worth noting that many forms of parkinsonism are curable.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22815-parkinsonism
