Parkinson's Disease, Can It Be Cured?

 

Parkinson's disease (PP) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system caused by damage to a part of the person called the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta. This area contains nerve cells that make the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) dopamine, which is also responsible for controlling movement. As a result, clinical symptoms appear in the form of rigidity of movement, flat facial expressions, tremors at rest, and impaired postural reflexes.

 

The approximate annual incidence of Parkinson's disease is 15 per 100,000 population with a prevalence of 18-328 cases per 100,000 population. Parkinson's is more often experienced by men and aged or over 60 years. There are several factors that play a role in the incidence of Parkinson's. This disease began to be widely known after one of the famous professional boxers experienced this disease, namely Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali's main risk factor for experiencing PP is a history of repeated head collisions. So, can Parkinson's disease be cured?

 

Until now, Parkinson's disease cannot be cured because this disease is degenerative and the symptoms experienced by people with Parkinson's disease will get worse over time if they do not receive appropriate management. There are several therapies that can be given to people with Parkinson's to relieve clinical symptoms that arise, slow the course of the disease, and improve the quality of life of sufferers.

 

1. Drugs

Selection of types of drugs and doses adjusted to the condition of the patient. Some types of drugs that can be used are levodopa, dopamine agonists, and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors. Considering that this disease is chronic and progressive, in the long term the effectiveness of levodopa will decrease. Even drugs cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and dyskinesia disorders. In this condition, adjusting the dose of levodopa, administering additional drugs is necessary to relieve the patient's complaints. Discuss with a neurologist, a friend, about the right choice of medicine to deal with your complaints.

 

2. Supportive therapy

Regarding the treatment of Parkinson's, the doctor will advise the patient to carry out therapies such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy. Physiotherapy aims to help overcome muscle stiffness and pain in the joints in order to improve the ability to move and flexibility of the body. Meanwhile, speech therapy will help sufferers to speak and swallow more easily by restoring control and muscle strength around the mouth. Occupational therapy is useful so that people with Parkinson's can overcome everyday problems, for example how to dress themselves, how to eat, and walk which can help patients carry out their daily activities. Finally, psychotherapy is recommended if the patient is depressed. This procedure is recommended to undergo therapy with a psychologist.

 

3. Surgery

If the administration of drugs cannot relieve the symptoms, maybe the doctor will continue with surgery. The type of surgery performed is called deep brain stimulation, namely by implanting electrodes in the disturbed area of the brain. However, this therapy is only performed in certain cases and the risk of this action is quite high.

 

Until now, this Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can be done to relieve the symptoms experienced by patients and inhibit the progression of this Parkinson's disease. In this way, it is expected to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's disease. Discuss with a neurologist, a friend, about the right choice of therapy to deal with your complaints.