Factors Influencing Parkinsons Disease - Coursework Example

Factors Influencing Parkinson’s disease In the world today, diseases are extremely cruel and usually lead to devastating effects. Some diseases attack fast with their effects coming rapidly while others attack slowly causing a painful process. Advancements in technology have led to several breakthroughs in finding cures for most diseases but some remain without treatment. Parkinson’s disease is one of the slow moving diseases that degenerately attack the brain causing tremors, rigidity, abnormal gait, unstable posture and slowed body movements. This chronic brain disorder is caused when neurons in the substantial nigra of the brain gradually die. This is where dopamine, a chemical that helps relay messages to parts of the brain that control body movement, production takes place. When these cells die there are abnormal low levels of dopamine production causing difficulty in controlling muscle tension and muscle movement even when resting. This paper tries examines the "biological factors", "psychological factors and "socio-cultural factors" affects or influence this disease in a view to get a better understanding to the general impact of the Parkinson’s disease. This disease has no true cure but fortunately, it can be controlled and slowed down. Doctors and scientists worldwide are conducting extensive research try and find a cure for this disease. Hopefully, they will make a breakthrough and discover a cure to end the pain and suffering of PD patients. Introduction Parkinsons disease is a disorder that progressively affects the brain’s central nervous system. It is a degenerative nervous system disorder characterized by imprecise movement, tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement and muscle rigidity. It occurs when a part in the central nervous system called the substantia nigra die or become impaired (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). The early signs of this disease can easily go unnoticed because they are mild and they differ from one individual to another. It first attacks one-half of the body before proceeding to the other and usually the effects will be adverse on the first side. The common signs and symptoms of this disease are tremor and shaking starting from the hands, bradykinesia or slowed movement over time and rigidness of muscles. Other symptoms shown include loss of automatic body movements such as smiling, swinging of the arms and blinking, speech and handwriting changes and impaired posture and balance. Since 1817 when Parkinson’s disease was first discovered, the knowledge base of the Parkinson’s disease has increased significantly. The medical community has placed extra attention on Parkinson’s disease and is considering it as one of the most serious and potentially fatal neuro-degenerative disease. However, to date, scientists have not yet discovered specific criteria to diagnose the Parkinsons disease. Diagnosis is usually made by an expert examination based on the already developed symptoms. Other methods used in the diagnosis of this disease are biochemical measures, which entails monitoring and measuring the dopamine activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and using a computer to examine the electromyography recordings. It is therefore important to focus on the factors influencing or affected by this disease. In terms of biological factors influencing Parkinson’s disease, we will focus it from the genetically point of view. The cause of Parkinson’s disease is still a mystery to scientists even until recently scientists believed that it was caused by environmental factors. The argument has been that if exposed to certain environmental factors or toxins the risk of developing a later condition of Parkinson’s disease is increased (Tickle L., Huang P.C., 2008). However, some scientists have identified certain rare genetic mutations that cause Parkinson’s disease. These gene variations are said to increase the risk of contracting this disease. This discovery of some cases of gene mutations in a family that can be inherited is a breakthrough towards developing a cure for the disease. It has led to research that is more extensive on Parkinson’s disease genes in a bid to know more about this disease. Very few people inherit this disease but studies about the inheritance of this genetical mutation can help researchers get a clear understanding on both the inherited and sporadic cases of the disease. These studies have proven a relationship between the two cases in that the genes that are missing or altered in cases inherited may have the same effect in sporadic cases due to environmental factors or other associated factors. Scientists can also derive other benefits from this discovery such as researchers are able to understand how the disease occurs and use animal specimen to improve diagnosis and even get a cure. Parkinson’s disease affects people psychologically, both the patient and those close to him or her. It is a life changing disease in that lifestyle changes are recommended, aerobic exercise and physical therapy that concentrates on stretching and balance to control the effects of this disease. Chronic diseases are always difficulty to live with and feeling angry sometimes is normal, but Parkinson’s disease come with more problems making a person feel anxious and depressed always due to the chemical changes that occur in the central nervous system of the brain. To overcome these problems a patient with this disease is usually advised to rely on family and friends and to join support groups that understand and know just what you are going through. It is essential for patients and relatives to receive psychological counseling to learn new ways to cope with everyday situations. Results show that even elderly patients can make use of structured psychological interventions and change dysfunctional behaviors and cognitions. The best cure so far for this disease incorporates both medication and ways to counteract the possible negative effects of social and emotional stressors that arise from this disease. Family, relatives, and those close to patients with this disease need enough information about the disease and training to help them cope up with taking care of the patient (Lyons K.D and Tickle-Degnen L., 2003). Therefore, future research on medical treatment for the Parkinsons disease should take into account the interaction of symptom intensity and psychological factors. Although, medication has the most positive effect in the disease’s early periods, psychological interventions should also be considered, as they will add value towards the well-being of the patient. Several social-cultural factors affect Parkinson’s disease in one way or another. This can be shown in environmental factors that play a vital role towards several developments of Parkinson’s disease more specifically the risk of contracting the disease is lower in less industrialized countries than in industrialized countries. In addition, recent studies have shown that those people who work in agricultural farms have an increased risk of getting Parkinson’s disease. In summation, we can therefore say that all these studies suggest that the increase the relative risk of Parkinson’s disease exposure may be due to other environmental factors present in agricultural and industrial areas (Frazier, L. D., 2000). On the other hand, cultural, ethnic and gender stereotypes can significantly distort clinical judgments about patients who have Parkinsons disease. This can lead to inappropriate and inequitable health care for those suffering from Parkinsons disease particularly in the elderly. Therefore, practitioners should have a better understanding of the complexities of this disease, and ensure that their own personal cultural biases do not influence their treatment of patients. Conclusion The various types of treatments being prescribed are becoming more efficient with new discoveries being made in this field. Many scientists and researchers are hopeful that soon they will discover the real cause of this disease that will lead to finding its cure. With advancements in technology, it is truly amazing what researchers have unearthed about this disease. As we dedicate several resources towards finding a cure for this disease, it is important to know that life after Parkinson’s can still be smooth and patients can go on with their lives with or without a cure. The three issues described above, biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors that influence or affect Parkinson’s disease can help patients overcome the stigma that arises from this disease and live a happy live even after contracting this disease. In conclusion, there exist a complex relationship between biology and socio-cultural factors that underlie social-cultural influences such as racial and ethnic differences in Parkinson’s disease. There is a need to consider in depth the causal mechanisms affecting patients of Parkinson’s disease coming from different backgrounds. 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