PARKINSON’S DISEASE
James Parkinson, a general practitioner in London, described the condition which bears his name in 1817.
Paralysis agitans or Parkinson’s disease is a common disorder and may affect one person in 100 over the age of 60. It is equally common in men and women.
There are a number of factors which have been identified in causing what we call Parkinsonism, but most cases of Parkinson’s disease arise from causes we can’t yet determine.
The tremor of the hands becomes more marked if the person is agitated or when he moves his hand to carry out a particular task. The tremor disappears during sleep.
There is no cure for this disorder but control is possible in most cases. A variety of drugs have been used over the years, but the most effective is levodopa. This seems to replace a chemical activator of brain tissue which may be lacking in Parkinson’s disease.
This drug is often combined with others. Amantadine, a drug introduced to prevent viral infections, particularly influenza, was found to be of benefit in relieving the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and can be used alone or in combination.
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