Conditions

Diagnosing Parkinson’s There is no specific test to identify Parkinson’s and it is difficult to diagnose especially in the early stages. The doctor will take note of your medical and neurological history and ask you to perform certain movements and tasks, which is part of the neurological exam. Physical examination is a key criterion for diagnosis. The four main movement related symptoms characteristic of Parkinson’s are often the main diagnostic criteria on physical examination. These are: 1…

The loss of production of the chemical dopamine due to nerve degeneration in the brain (esp. the substania nigra) is the key component for the inception of this movement disorder. Dopamine is the messenger that is responsible for coordinating movement, balance and the reward system with other nerve and muscle cells.  As of now, we do not know the exact cause of the loss of nerve cells that leads to Parkinson’s disease. Researchers believe it may be due to genetic or environmental factors,…

Symptoms vary from person to person. Which symptom will affect you, in which order and how your symptoms may progress are difficult to predict. Parkinson symptoms are often categorised as Motor and Non-motor. Motor symptoms are essentially due to akinesia (poverty of action, difficulty initiating movements,) and bradykinesia (slow movements).  The following are some of the symptoms and signs seen: Tremor in Parkinson’s can be of 2 types, either a resting tremor or an action tremor.…

Dopamine is a Brain Chemical that helps to control muscle movement. In Parkinson's Disease the brain cells that make dopamine slowly die. The resultant lack of dopamine in body leads to physical symptoms such as slowness of movement, unusual stiffness in body, tremors and loss of balance. Depression, anxiety, constipation, speech-swallowing problems are some of the many other affections of Parkinson's Disease.          

Tips to prevent stress Positive attitude: See the upside of the situation  Breathing exercises: Do pranayama Try meditation  Time management: Prioritise your actions so you are not swamped with work. Always leave time to some things you enjoy. Make a “to do” list  Get enough sleep: 8 hours minimum Diet: Eating healthily helps the body cope better with stress.  Exercise is enormously helpful in reducing stress. It fills you up with feel-good endorphins, takes your mind…

Your doctor may suggest some of the following self-help strategies:  Self-understanding: Know what is causing you stress  Self-management: Be more organised, control your thoughts Self-talk: Stand in front of a mirror and counsel yourself Conflict resolution: Make ways to resolve smaller conflicts that may snowball into bigger ones. Positive attitude: See the upside of the situation  Breathing exercises: Do pranayama Try meditation  Exercise Alter your diet: Add vegetables…

Apart from self help options mentioned in the Management section, one option is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. You talk through your problems with a therapist. The aim is to alter the negative thought patterns arising from stress and the behaviour that comes with it.  Medication : You doctor may also suggest medication such as: Barbiturates like phenobarbital, butabartital, amobarbital, mephobarbital  Benzodiazepines like lprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam and…

Testing for stress If you decide to consult a doctor, he or she may give you a questionnaire to fill out. It will ask you about situations that cause you stress, how frequently you are stressed, what causes increased stress and the symptoms you feel. Your stress level is assessed at the end of the test – the higher the score, more the stress. 

Different types of stress Acute stress is short-term and is caused by the demands of life – for instance, your child is struggling at school or you are worried about clinching a contract. This does not cause extensive damage and is manageable. This is the most common type of stress.  Chronic stress is long-term stress that the patient cannot get rid of. It is caused by longstanding situations, like being trapped in a hopeless job, in poverty, unhappy marriage or violent…