Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder. Progressing slowly, it has a chronic course. Another name for this ailment is tremor paralysis. This disease primarily affects elderly individuals, although it can also occur in people over 50. It is a fairly common problem, affecting approximately 4% of all individuals in the older age group.
Causes
Parkinson's disease is classified as a degenerative disease of the extrapyramidal system. This collection of brain structures is responsible for maintaining muscle tone and posture, as well as participating in the control of movements. As the disease progresses, there is destruction and death of neurons in the substantia nigra. These neurons produce dopamine, which is necessary for transmitting signals between the neurons of the substantia nigra and the striatum in the brain. The inability to perform this function leads to a loss of coordination of movements.
Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in Israel
There are no specific diagnostic methods. Initial diagnosis can be made based on symptoms.
In the early stages, symptoms are almost absent, but as the disease progresses, they intensify. The very first symptom of the disease is considered to be hand tremor. Subsequently, the following symptoms may appear:
- Deterioration of fine motor skills – difficulty performing routine tasks (tying shoelaces, lighting a cigarette)
- Weakness and fatigue
- Changes in gait – unsteady, unsure, short steps
- Changes in speech – slurred speech, the patient may sometimes be unable to finish a thought because they forgot it.
The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:
- Severe rigidity – a state of strong muscle tension, accompanied by a lack of coordination in their action
- Constantly bent arms and legs
- Tremor of the limbs resembling "coin counting"
- Movements are sharply slowed
- Severe stooping
- Complete disappearance of facial expressions
- Increased sweating
- The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in Israel begins with observing the patient's symptoms to determine the severity of the disease.
Additional examinations are conducted:
- Magnetic resonance imaging – assessment of the structural and functional resources of the brain
- Computed tomography
- Electroencephalography – clarification of the functional state of the brain
- Duplex scanning of the brain vessels
- Positron emission tomography
- Electromyography – studying the bioelectrical potentials of the muscular system to differentiate Parkinson's disease from other diseases that manifest as limb tremors.
In addition, a consultation with a neurologist is conducted.
Treatment of Parkinson's Disease in Israel
The Israeli Ichilov clinic offers several types of treatment for the disease:
- Physical therapy and psychotherapy
- Conventional medication treatment
- Enteral medication therapy
- Surgical intervention
Conservative treatment of Parkinson's disease in Israel is conducted taking into account the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. Standard medications in the early stages include:
- Anticholinergics (to eliminate tremor and rigidity)
- Amantadine (used alone or in combination with levodopa)
- Bromocriptine (a dopamine agonist)
- In the later stages, the drug "Levodopa" is used.
Surgical treatment at the Ichilov clinic in Israel employs several methods of a comprehensive approach:
- Pallidotomy
- Thalamotomy
- Neurostimulation
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation.