What is Parkinson's?

It was first described as tremor paralysis by Doctor James Parkinson in 1817. Parkinson's disease is the most common neurological disease after Alzheimer's, leading to neurodegeneration (cell death with loss of function). There are cells in our brain that control our movements by secreting chemicals. One of the chemicals secreted from these cells is dedopamine. The disease that disrupts the body's balance with symptoms such as tremors and slow movements, which occurs as a result of the cell groups that secrete dopamine in the brain losing their functions over time, is called Parkinson's. There are structures called basal ganglia in the deep regions of the brain. The function of these ganglia is to make the movement more smooth and harmonious and to adjust the balance of the body when the person initiates a movement (for example, lifting his arm).

In order to perform these functions, the basal ganglia processes and takes part in the transmission of signals passing between the layers of the brain. While these signals are carried as electrical signals on nerve cells, chemical substances (neurotransmitter-dopamine-) are used in communication between nerve cells. In Parkinson's disease, these dopamine-producing nerve cells are destroyed and the connections between nerve cells and the muscles decrease. The cause of this destruction and dopamine loss is mostly unknown. Parkinson's disease occurs especially in older ages. It is very rare for it to start before the age of 50. It is observed approximately twice more frequently in men than in women. Its frequency in people over the age of 60 is 1%. It is approximately 300 in every 1000,000 people. It is estimated that there are around 60,000 Parkinson's patients in Turkey.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease in which existing treatments can improve symptoms and make them less interfering with a person's life. There is information that early treatment of Parkinson's helps delay the remission and progression of the disease and prolongs the quality of life. For this reason, in order to raise social awareness and awareness, April 11 every year was declared as "World Parkinson's Disease Day" in the world. Risk groups in Parkinson's disease are as follows: Some medications Atherosclerosis Family reasons Previous brain infections Trauma Tumors Poisoning Excessive increase in red cells in the blood

Male gender What are the symptoms of the disease?

Muscle pains Change in facial expression (fixed staring, not blinking) Freezing and pain in the shoulder Bending in body posture (hunchbacked posture) Hoarseness of voice Feeling of internal trembling Difficulty in swallowing Arms not shaking while walking The person's writings begin to be illegible and small. Slowing down of movements and speaking speed Depression, distressed mood