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  • Essay / Physiotherapy for Parkinson's disease

    Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a lack of dopamine. The three main diagnostic symptoms are bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity. With Parkinson's disease, simple tasks like walking around the house become difficult. Diagnosis is based on neurological examination results and there is no specific test to clearly identify the disease. Some patients exhibit primitive reflexes due to a problem in the frontal lobe. Some of the clinical signs include bradykinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity. There is currently no cure, only processes aimed at slowing progression. It is important that Parkinson's disease is diagnosed early so that progression can be slowed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get Original Essay Some symptoms in the early stage are unilateral tremor, rigidity, and hypokinesia of gait. Balance and gait deficits occur amidst symptoms of progression. In advanced stages, there are severe voluntary movement disorders, compromised swallowing and the person becomes dependent. A patient with Parkinson's disease needs a comprehensive program focused on aerobic and resistance exercise. Higher intensity training has greater benefits. Aerobic and resistance exercises are the most studied, but other exercises should not be neglected. Some research shows that early stretching can slow the progression of stiffness. The main treatment is levodopa and it must be combined with other drugs and given in high doses because most of it is metabolized before reaching the brain. Initially, levodopa may be very effective in reducing motor symptoms, but it may become less effective over time. Levodopa can also cause side effects such as dyskinesia, i.e. involuntary muscle movements and orthostatic hypotension, which should be noted by the physiotherapist as they can lead to fainting and injury. In newly diagnosed patients, dopamine agonists may be used before levodopa to delay levodopa use due to side effects associated with long-term levodopa use. A recent study published on June 21, 2019 found a different activation pathway. Treatment using the previously thought system showed mixed results. This study discovered a new direct drug target. The enzymes were previously thought to be activated in glial cells, but this new research suggests they are activated in dopamine-producing neurons. “Mitochondrial targeting of such compounds is likely to be effective in treating patients with Parkinson's disease, and continuing in this direction is our future strategy.” Physical therapy can make activities of daily living easier. Exercise is medicine and has a positive impact on cognition, even in healthy individuals. Once the patient is diagnosed, emphasis should be placed on maintaining and improving flexibility with emphasis on rotation, particularly trunk rotation and extension, as these are essential for functional activities . There is no specific type of strength training, but strength training is crucial. Balance is also essential to avoid falls and backwards and side steps should be avoided. The patients.