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Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that accompanies movement disorders such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait disorders and non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, depression, hallucinations, and autonomic disorders. Parkinson’s disease, which mainly occurs in the elderly, causes difficulties in daily life and a decrease in quality of life, increasing the burden on not only the individual himself but also his family. Learn about the causes and prevention of Parkinson’s disease, which is an obstacle to an active life.
What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease? Genetic and environmental influences in 15% of patients
Parkinson’s disease mainly occurs in the elderly, and the risk of getting the disease increases with age. Among the degenerative brain diseases associated with aging, Parkinson’s disease is the most common disease after Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, it is not yet known with certainty whether changes occur in the substantia nigra. About 15% of patients are caused by genetic causes, and some results suggest that environmental influences or toxic substances are the cause, but it is not yet clear enough to apply to all patients. The term ‘idiopathic’ is used when the cause of the disease is unknown, and most Parkinson’s disease falls under this type of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
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▲ Premonition of non-motor symptoms such as loss of smell
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are divided into motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. There are cognitive decline, fatigue, dysphonia, dysphagia, and hypersalivation.
Motor symptoms appear in Parkinson’s disease patients, and these non-motor symptoms appear as a precursor to many years before diagnosis. However, most patients do not talk about it themselves because they do not think that these symptoms are related to Parkinson’s.
Typical prognostic symptoms include REM sleep behavior disorder, loss of smell, constipation, urination disorder, orthostatic hypotension, daytime sleepiness, and depression.
What is the treatment for Parkinson’s disease? Drugs/physical therapy, nerve destructive surgery, etc.
There are three methods of treatment for Parkinson’s disease that have been researched and developed so far: drug treatment, physical therapy, and surgical treatment including deep brain stimulation and nerve destruction. Parkinson’s disease can maintain a normal life similar to that of a normal person only with medication and exercise in the early stages.
Physical therapy can help improve symptoms by loosening stiff muscles and joints by increasing the amount of exercise, and includes posture correction, gait training, breathing training, and speaking. If it is difficult to take the drug due to side effects due to drug use for a long time, surgical treatment may be considered.
▲Regular eating habits and exercise help prevent Parkinson’s disease
Prevention of Parkinson’s disease is not yet known for certain, but it is important to eat a balanced diet and maintain a regular diet in order to maintain an appropriate weight.
Also, exercise is good for all neurodegenerative diseases, but it is one of the important treatments, especially in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. There are studies that show that exercise improves the ability of dopaminergic cells as well as physical function to slow the progression.
Therefore, it is recommended to regularly engage in aerobic exercise such as walking, gymnastics and swimming, exercise to improve balance, and exercise to strengthen core muscles, depending on your condition and stage of Parkinson’s disease.
Kim Hee-young, a neurologist at Daejeon Woori Hospital’s Brain and Neurology Center, said, “You may think that the precursor symptoms such as REM sleep behavior disorder and constipation are not related to Parkinson’s disease and go too far, but the older you are, the more closely you need to look. It is important to consult with a health specialist and to prevent it in advance through regular eating and exercise.”
Correspondent Kim Seong-hyun larczard@
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