Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement
2. DEFINITION:
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder,
which leads to progressive deterioration of motor
function due to loss of dopamine-producing brain
cells.
3. INCIDENCE:
Approximately 60,000 Americans are
diagnosed with PD each year. More than
10 million people worldwide are living
with PD. Incidence of Parkinson’s disease
increase with age, but an estimated 4 % of
people with PD are diagnosed before 50
years.
4. RISK FACTORS:
Age
Heredity
Sex
Exposure to toxins
Diabetes
Arterial hypertension
5. CAUSES:
In Parkinson's disease, certain nerve cells (neurons) in
the brain gradually break down or die. Many of the
symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a
chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. When
dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain
activity, leading to signs of Parkinson's disease.
6. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Unknown cause
Deterioration of neurons in region of
brain(substantia nigra)
Decrease secretions of dopamine
neurotransmitter
Movement disturbance (tremor,
rigidity, akinesia)
7. SYMPTOMS
Tremor - tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often
your hand or fingers
Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
Rigid muscles
Impaired posture and balance
Loss of automatic movements
Speech changes
Writing changes
13. PREVENTION:
Some research have shown that caffeine — which is found
in coffee, tea and cola — may reduce the risk of developing
Parkinson's disease. Green tea also may reduce the risk of
developing Parkinson's disease.
18. NURSING CARE:
Ineffective airway clearance related to excessive secretions as
evidenced by dyspnea
Disturbed thought process related to parkinsonian medications
as evidenced by inaccurate interpretation of environment
Imbalanced nutrition less than body requirement related to
inability to take food as evidenced by weight loss
Impaired physical mobility related to tremors as evidenced by
inability to perform daily activity.