A recent article by Luigi Cucchi in “Il Giornale” discussed Parkinson's disease. There are many people in Italy currently affected by this disease, about 300,000 are mentioned.
Many famous people have also been affected by this disease: it seems that Leonardo da Vinci at the end of his life he could no longer move his fingers easily because of trembling and slowing down, the presidents of the U.S. Roosevelt and Truman, Dali, Pope John Paul II, Mao Tse Tung, Charlie Chaplin and Mohammed Ali, who recently passed away.
The causes of the development of Parkinson's disease
The causes of the development of the disease are not yet known but few cases are believed to be due to genetic mutations alone; in most cases there is a correlation between gene vulnerabilities and environmental factors.
These two factors (genetic and environmental) cause an alteration in dopaminergic metabolism that leads to the onset of the disease.
Epidemiological data suggest that causes of death in Parkinson's are not usually related to the disease itself, in fact constitute between 1.5% and 2.7% of patients. Most of the complications are caused by bone lesions, due to the drops, and from lung diseases.
«Parkinson's disease represents the primary degenerative form with the juvenile variant, while to the group of Parkinsonisms belong the clinical pictures that from the semeiotic point of view are related to the Parkinson's diseaseby the presence of tremor, rigidity, reduced mobility, blockages in walking, difficulty in maintaining balance, but differing in their causes,» says the professor Mauro Porta, neurologist, expert in extrapyramidal diseases.
Treatments to get better
«Fundamental to the treatment algorithm is the use of L-dopa. DBS, i.e., deep brain stimulation, is the most effective remedy on tremor, especially when it is refractory, while on motor blocks and balance, the Automatic Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) allows the reduction of motor disability and the risk of falls. It is a non-invasive treatment based on mechanical stimulation of the plantar surface.» concluded Professor Porta.
In addition to the therapies mentioned above by the professor Mauro Porta there are other expedients to move better and relieve discomfort: such as exercising and following a diet that is functional to the medications you are taking.
Dance or singing classes preparatory to Parkinson's disease are also conducted.
Italiano
Français
Deutsch
English