Parkinson’s disease is characterized with a number of effects to its victims. These effects are sometimes transmitted to people who are close to the victims such as family members. From the impact of the disease that affects the neural system, victims suffer from problems that can include mental problems, changed behavior, locomotive problems, difficulty in communication as well sexual malfunctioning. These characteristics can have adverse effects on the individual victims in a number of ways. Physical incapacity that can hinder a person’s ability to move around and can lead to fall with puts the victims in danger of bodily harm when they fall on dangerous objects or in dangerous places. Inability to undertake normal activity due to the disease also psychologically affects the victims and can lead to further problems such as stress and related complications.
Families to victims of the Parkinson’s disease are also affected in a number of ways in their relation to the victim. Physical disability that may be induced may call for extra attention from family members. Change in behavior can also lead to conflict between the victim and family members. Disability of a bread winner in a family due to the complication can also affect his or her family.
What is Parkinson’s disease? What part of the brain malfunctions? What are the symptoms?
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that is caused by degeneration of cells in the brain leading to problems with functionality of the nervous system of the affected individual. It is characterized by the death of some cells that necessitates the capacity of the nervous system. It has been established that the disease affects the middle part of the brain in which cells degenerates. The disease having affected the nervous system is leads to malfunction of the system that leads to symptoms such as affected body motion that is attributed to the reduced ability to establish body balance. As a result, a victim can always lose balance leading to falls. The disease also induces symptoms such as changes in behavior of the victims, memory problem as well as changed emotions.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Medical researches into causes of Parkinson’s disease have not yet singled out the exact cause of the disease. A number of factors are however believed to possibly increase a person’s chances of having the complication. Such factors include genetics and environmental exposure to some chemicals.
What are the treatments currently in use? How effective are they?
Like the cause of the disease, the actual and accurate treatment has not yet been developed. A number of research activities have been commissioned to no avail. Factors such as exercise have however been identified as solution to slowing down development of the disease. With no treatment, the counter measure can be identified as ineffective as it does not cure the disease. Medications and surgery have also been adopted to control the cell degeneration.
What is stem cell? How might stem cell research help victims of Parkinson’s? What are the ethical issues involved in stem cell research?
Stem cell refers to a cell that can generate other cells. Stem cell research can help victims by replacing the lost cells. Research into the disease has faced issues such as obstacles by the government over research at the expense of the victims.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease is a serious disease. There is a need for more research to be carried out on this disease. The psychological burden to the patient and the family members is great.