Blog Post Module 12

One disease of civilization that has interested me recently is Parkinson's disease. I don't have a special connection in my family to this disease, but I work as a CNA in a nursing home and have gotten to see the real life impacts of this disease on a few of the residents I work with. Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system. It affects movement and motor functions, often including tremors. Parkinson's occurs when neurons in the brain become impaired or die. These cells, when functioning properly, produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain transmit signals between different areas in the brain. When nerve cell damage occurs, dopamine levels drop. This leads to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This disease often starts with tremors in one hand and can lead to many other things. Other symptoms of this disease include shaking, slow movements, loss of automatic movements, speech and writing challenges, and difficulty with balance and coordination. In late stages of the disease, people have difficulty walking and talking. Studies have shown that men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women. Genetics also play a huge factor. People with a direct family member who is affected have approximately two times the chance to develop this disease. There currently is no cure for Parkinson's, but there are medications that can help manage. Treatment consists of medications to increase dopamine levels in the brain. The medication can help control the symptoms of this disease. 


Links: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/treatment/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease

Comments

  1. Kate ODecember 1, 2021 at 1:39 PM

    Megan,
    I also work as a CNA and spent some time in a nursing home before my current job. This was a really good explanation of Parkinsons and cool how you are able to see it in real life and not a classroom (yes it is sad also). Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lauren LeikerDecember 3, 2021 at 11:54 AM

    Hi Megan! I like how you included your personal experiences as working as a CNA in a nursing home when discussing Parkinson’s disease. I, personally, didn’t know much about Parkinson’s disease so it was interesting to learn about. Good work!

    ReplyDelete

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