Parkinson's Disease Flashcards
(29 cards)
Parkinson Disease
- 2nd leading neurodegenerative disease
- cause is unknown
- no prevention/cure
- characterized by slow tremor
- disruption of nerve cells in the brain
PD in males
dominant symptom: ridged slow movement, faster progression
PD in females
two years later, tremor first, stages aren’t as severe
Bradykinesia
slowing of initiation and execution of movement
Rigidity
increased muscle tone, involuntary muscle contractions
Resting Tremors
HANDS (mostly), arms, legs, jaw, face, “pill rolling”
Impaired Postural Reflexes
late response, loss of imbalance coordination
Early Sings PD
loss of sense of smell, mood disorders, REM sleep disorders, orthostatic hypotension, change in handwriting (gets smaller), change in speech (rapid)
Cognitive Changes
slowing of mental function, confusion, memory loss, dementia
Sleep Abnormalities
daytime sleepiness, insomnia
Emotional Changes
depression
Stage 1
PD symptoms affect only one side of the body
Stage 2
symptoms effect both sides of the body, but balance is still intact
Stage 3
PD symptoms are mild/moderate, balance is impaired BUT person can still function independently
Stage 4
people are severely disabled but can still walk and stand without assisstance
Stage 5
wheelchair bound or bedridden, unless someone is helping them
Classic PD Patient
stooped posture, masked faces, drooping (difficultly swallowing), shuffling gait, frozen in place, difficultly controlling posture
Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
Diagnosing…
2/4 classic characteristics must be met (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, impaired postural reflexes)
Levodopa/Carbidopa
increases dopamine effect
-carbidopa inhibits an enzyme that breaks down levodopa before it reaches the brain, carbidopa keeps it localized to the brain and doesn’t let it go to systemic system
Monoamine Oxidase
preserves existing dopamine, modest in preventing smyptoms
Catechol-O-Methyl Tranferase Inhibitors
preserves and prolongs the effects of Levodopa
Anticholinergics
decreases activity of acetylcholine (excitability), decreases tremors, rigidity), helps with muscle stiffness
Antihistamines
decreases activity of acetylcholine, decreases tremors
