Parkinson’s disease was first described by James Parkinson in 1817.
Often the cause cannot be found. However, in some patients, vascular diseases, tumors, chemical poisoning, inflammatory diseases of the brain tissue and some drugs can cause Parkinson’s disease.
The earliest manifestations of Parkinson’s disease appear in the enteric nervous system, lower brain stem, and olfactory pathways. In other words, loss or decrease in the sense of smell, sleep disorders and constipation can start years before the main symptoms of the disease.
The main complaints of Parkinson’s disease include tremors, slowing of movement and muscle spasms, inability to move, twitching of limbs, incoherent gait and hunchback. In addition, sleep disorders, constipation, loss of sense of smell, depression, sexual dysfunction and anxiety can be seen.
Parkinson’s disease is different in each patient and presents with different symptoms. Symptoms can occur at any age, but the average age of onset for Parkinson’s is 60. It is rarely seen in people under 30 years of age.
The diagnosis can be made by neurological examination, anamnesis taken from the patient and his relatives.
Medical treatment, DBS (deep brain stimulation) and surgical methods are used in the treatment. Apart from this, exercise, regular life, psychotherapy, regular follow-up by a neurologist are important.
