Parkinson's disease
doctor Gustavo Franklin, MD Ph.D. | Neurologist
Doctor of Internal Medicine | Prof. PUC-PR
The diagnosis, but mainly the treatment of Parkinson's disease can be challenging. Therefore, adequate medical follow-up must be a priority, always seeking the best and most modern treatment.
Na Parkinson's disease is a genetic disease, in which there is loss of neurons responsible for the production ofdopamine, a substance produced in the brain that allows muscles to move.
Check out the last Congresses and activities of Dr. Gustavo Franklin at national and international conferences
Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
doctor Gustavo in a photo during his presentation at an event that took place from November 25 to 27, 2021 in Florianópolis/SC, brought together leading specialists in the country to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases.
3rdPan American Congress de Dmovement disorders
Miami, Florida, USA
doctor Gustavo in a photo during his presentation at an event that took place on February 22 to 24, 2020,in Miami, USA, in which the highest authorities participated em distúrbios do movement, Brazil and the World.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
doctor Gustavo in a photo during his presentation at a congress that took place on August 16-17, 2019, in Buenos Aires, Argentina,where they discussed the diagnosis and treatment of Rare Diseases, with the world's leading specialists.
A lack of dopamine causes symptoms such asresting tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, known asbradykinesia and difficulty walking with a tendency to falls.
Symptoms of slowness of movement, stiffness and/or tremor are calledParkinsonism.
These symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which are associated with making movements, are calledmotor symptoms.
But na Parkinson's disease There are also symptoms callednon-engines.
Symptoms non-motors,present na Parkinson's disease The most common ones are constipation (constipation), pain, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, among many others.
Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's disease?
The correct thing is to say Parkinson's disease!
For a long time, the disease was referred to as "Parkinson's Disease". But we understand that this name is inappropriate and loaded with prejudice.
Parkinson's disease must be seen as a complex disease, yes, but not as a sore or curse. Like people with diabetes or high blood pressure, we must view it objectively and treat it responsibly.
Why does Parkinson's disease happen?
A Parkinson's disease happens because one (or more mutations) occur in genes that produce a protein, called alpha-synuclein.
The presence of this altered protein causes it to accumulate in various neurons in the body, leading to the death of these neurons.
Why do we call Parkinson's disease neurodegenerative?
As the death of neurons is progressive, there is a degeneration (death) of neurons, that is, a neurodegeneration, which is why we call it neurodegenerative disease.
Is Parkinson's Disease hereditary?
In the vast majority of cases, theParkinson's disease is not hereditary.
This means that if someone has a parent or grandparent with Parkinson's, it's not certain that you will develop the disease as well. On the contrary, if a relative has developed symptoms in the most common way, after the age of 50, what is expected is that you do not develop the disease.
However, the disease does have a genetic component. This means that anyone who has a family member with Parkinson's has a greater chance/probability of having the disease.in relation to people who have no one affected in the family. But it's still a small chance overall.
Now, there are cases of hereditary parkinsonism, in which there is a mutated gene and which, yes, is passed from parent to child. These, however, are much rarer, and more usually have earlier onset of motor symptoms (often before 30 or 40 years of age).
How does Parkinson's disease progress?
The disease usually begins many years before motor symptoms, such as tremor or rigidity, appear. She can start by presenting justcold(stuck intestine) and this if the only symptoms for years. After some time, the patient may presentalterations in sleep, called REM phase disorder. Patients with REM sleep disorder, tend to move abruptly during sleep, talk in their sleep and presentvivid dreams(which look real).
In addition, it is common for the patient to complain of difficulty in smelling and to present psychiatric symptoms, such asAnxiety Disorder and Depression.
The disease then evolves with the appearance of motor symptoms (this is when the diagnosis is usually made by the neurologist).
Youmotor symptomsmanifest themselves in the form of:
Rigidity:The limbs get "stiffier" and become more difficult to move.
Bradykinesia:Every movement made voluntarily tends to be slower, slower. This includes everything from raising an arm, walking and even eye blinking becoming slower and with a lower blink frequency.
Tremor:It should be remembered that not every tremor is Parkinson's disease! Most times it is not! Parkinson's tremor usually occurs when the patient is distracted, at rest. And in this case, when the patient moves his arm, the tremor decreases or disappears!
As the disease invariably progresses, and many symptoms may arise associated with the described motor symptoms, it is of fundamental importance to understand the full complexity of the disease once it has been diagnosed. In doubt, always talk to your neurologist!
The best treatment of Parkinson's disease should seek to treat all the symptoms present.
Not always with medicine, but without a doubt, you can't leave any symptoms aside!