Learn about the causes of Parkinson's Disease & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Parkinson's Disease within New Zealand.
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects voluntary movement. Characteristics of Parkinson's disease include shaking and a slow decrease in mobility. Symptoms take many months before they are noticed and the disease is diagnosed. Parkinson's disease is caused by loss of nerve cells and a resulting decrease in production of the dopamine chemical. Dopamine helps transmit messages from the brain to control bodily movement.
Causes of Parkinson's disease
A brain chemical called 'dopamine' helps to transmit messages around
the brain which control body movement. When nerve cells in the part of
the brain called the substantia nigra become damaged, the amount of
dopamine is reduced and the body loses mobility. Once 80% of the nerve
cells have died, Parkinson's disease symptoms appear.
Why the nerve cells become damaged is unknown but genetic and environmental factors are believed to be responsible.
The severity of Parkinson's symptoms vary from person to person but the three common symptoms are:
No conclusive tests exist to diagnose Parkinson's disease and a GP will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, a physical examination and your medical history. A GP may refer you to a specialist if the disease is suspected. You may be referred for blood tests and an MRI scan to determine if the condition is linked to environmental contaminants such as toxins
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk