What is Parkinson's?

It was first described by Doctor James Parkison in 1817 as tremulous paralysis. Parkinson's disease is the most common neurological disease after Alzheimer's, leading to neurodegeneration (cell death with loss of function). There are cells in our brain that control our movements by secreting chemicals. One of the chemicals secreted from these cells is dedopamine.

Parkinson's is a disease in which the body's balance is disrupted by findings such as tremor and slow movement, which occur as a result of the loss of function of the cell groups that secrete dopamine in the brain. Within the deep regions of the brain are structures called basal ganglia.

The task of these ganglia is to make the movement more smooth and harmonious and to adjust the body's stance when the person initiates a movement (for example, raising his arm). In order to perform these functions, the basal ganglia process and transmit signals that go between the layers of the brain. While these signals are carried as electrical signals on nerve cells, chemical substances (neurotransmitter (dopamine) are used in communication between nerve cells.

In Parkinson's disease, these dopamine-producing nerve cells are destroyed and the connections of nerve cells with each other and with muscles are also reduced. The cause of this destruction and loss of dopamine is mostly unknown. Parkinson's disease occurs especially in older ages. Onset before age 50 is very rare. It is observed approximately two times more frequently in men than in women. Its incidence in people over 60 years of age is 1%. It is approximately 300 in every 1000.000 people. It is estimated that there are around 60,000 Parkinson's patients in Turkey. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease in which the symptoms can be improved and made less disruptive to the person's life in existing treatments. In Parkinson's, early treatment helps to alleviate the disease and delay its progression, and there is information that it prolongs quality of life.

For this reason, in order to create social awareness and awareness, every year on April 11 is declared as "World Parkinson's Disease Day" in the world. Risk groups in Parkinson's are as follows; Some drugs Arterosclerosis Familial causes Past brain infections Trauma Tumors Poisoning Excessive elevation of red cells in the blood Male sex What are the symptoms of the disease? Muscle aches Change in facial expression (fixed look, not blinking) Frostbite and pain in the shoulder Twisted body posture (hunched posture) Stiffening trembling Internally Difficulty in swallowing Difficulty in swallowing Arms swaying while walking Beginning to write illegible and small letters Slowing of movements and speaking rate Depression, distressed mood