Parkinson's disease is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system in middle-aged adults, with major pathological changes involving the degenerative death of dopamine neurons in the central nervous system, resulting in a significant decrease in dopamine secretion in the brain, leading to a range of motor symptoms. Parkinson's disease is more common in people over the age of 50, and the incidence increases with age. Although the disease is not directly life-threatening, it can severely affect patients' mobility and quality of life as the disease progresses and requires long-term, comprehensive management.
The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is not entirely clear, and is currently thought to be the result of a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors such as ageing. Genetically, a minority of patients have a family history of mutations in several related genes (such as SNCA, LRRK2, Parkin, etc. ); environmentally, long-term exposure to certain pesticides, heavy metals, industrial solvents, etc.
may increase the risk of disease; age is the largest independent risk factor, associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal protein accumulation, etc. ) mechanisms. The four core movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease are: static tremor, which begins on one side of the arm, with 'testicular' tremors, which are noticeable when standing still; spontaneous movement is diminished when sleeping, known as 'handshake'; muscular stiffness, which is characterized by stiffness of the limbs and stiff muscles; 'tube-shaped' or 'turner-shaped' resistance in passive joints; slower movement, difficulty initiating movements, reduced facial size, slower speed, reduced movement of the arms while walking; small-script disorder; reduced facial expressions, which are 'facial' and difficulty in turning up; Postural balance disorders, late onset of disease, agitated walking, and easy falls.
In addition, Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by non-motor symptoms, such as loss of sense of smell, constipation, sleep disorders, rapid eye movement sleep abnormalities, depressive anxiety, cognitive impairment, bodily low blood pressure, etc. These symptoms often appear before the onset of motor symptoms and severely affect the quality of life. Nuclear medical examinations such as dopamine transporter imaging can assist in diagnosis; for those who have difficulty in diagnosing, levodopa trials are helpful in identification.
Parkinson's disease is currently not curable, but treatment can significantly improve symptoms, delay functional deterioration. Dopamine receptor stimulators (PLAXO, ROPINILO), monoamine oxidase B inhibitors (Silagilan, Reshagilan), COMT inhibitors (Entacarpone), and pyridine can be used in combination or early to delay movement complications. Medium-to-late can be used to improve symptoms by adjusting the medication regimen, continuous left-hand throttling or deep-brain electrostimulation (DBS, 'brain stimulator') and is an important surgical treatment for movement symptoms and movement complications.
The management of Parkinson's disease emphasizes long-term, comprehensive, and individualized treatment. Patients should prescribe medications under the guidance of a specialist and not increase their doses on their own; adhere to rehabilitative exercises, maintain social and positive attitudes; pay attention to avoid falling; provide full support from caregivers. With advances in medicines and surgical techniques, patients with Parkinson's disease can still maintain their self-esteem for many years after diagnosis, and should be properly aware of and actively respond to the disease.
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