Men suffer more than women from Parkinson’s disease


Although there is no cure for this progressive movement disorder, treatments can help improve symptoms. Today world parkinson day We celebrate with good news: the largest genetic project for the disease in the country will soon be available, which will improve the approach to this disease in the affected population.

doWhat causes Parkinson’s disease?
The Parkinson’s disease It is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system that is manifested by the progressive loss of neurons in the circuits that have dopamine as the main neurotransmitter.

What signs should we pay attention to?
At first, it can go unnoticed for several years before any disturbance of smell, sleep, agility to walk or perform tasks that require some dexterity are noticed. It is important to recognize the genetic aspect as a risk factor, age over 60 years, exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides.departures, etc.

What are the symptoms or signs in its initial stage and in the most advanced?
The Parkinson’s disease does not always follow the same clinical pattern. In some patients tremor predominates and in others rigidity with greater affectation of the fluidity of voluntary movement. In a first stage the symptoms occur mainly on one side of the body. Slowness, stiffness, tremor, and postural instability are prominent but do not limit normal day tasks. Subsequently, the disease affects both sides of the body, reducing normal performance in daily activities. The decrease in gesticulation, tone of voice, balance and walking speed becomes evident, as well as posture is affected in a way that does not go unnoticed. The disability to perform some tasks are affected by the slowness and the progressive loss of balance control. It is necessary to have the assistance of a caregiver to facilitate the daily routine and prevent falls, or episodes of difficulty eating food. The progressive weight loss, together with the sudden and transient changes in the content of thoughts, dreams, make the permanent company of a full-time caregiver necessary in some cases.

Is it genetic inheritance?
Having a first-degree relative, that is, parents, uncles, siblings and children, doubles the risk of suffering from the disease. Parkinson’s disease. Genetic counseling is necessary when a hereditary pattern of the disease is suspected, as occurs in 10-20% of all cases. Men are more likely, almost twice as likely to suffer from the disease than women. A greater progression of symptoms related to movement and difficulty performing complex tasks has been seen in affected males.

Is it true that Parkinson’s affects men and women differently?
Men are more likely, almost twice as likely to suffer from the disease than women. A greater progression of symptoms related to movement and difficulty performing complex tasks has been seen in affected males.

When should you go to the specialist?
It is always necessary to be evaluated by a specialist when symptoms related to the disease are suspected. Parkinson’s disease.

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“The disability to mobilize is undoubtedly the greatest burden related to the disease” D. Pedro Roa Neurologist at Neurotraining

Do you have a cure?
Today there is no treatment that completely cures the Parkinson’s disease. But the chances of living many years with less disability are greater every day, thanks to the knowledge that we currently have and the resources that can be accessed.

In addition to the symptoms that we all know of the disease, what else is behind someone who has Parkinson’s?
The symptoms of the disease are highly variable. Loss of smell, constipation, joint pain, cramps, sudden muscle contractions, hallucinations, illusions, low mood, may be common.

Can we do something to prevent it?
Current research seeks to discover the influence of certain lifestyle habits that could accelerate the early onset of the disease, as well as the best way to reduce the progression of disability.

And take steps to slow its progress?
We know that some stimulants can reduce the risk of rapid progression, in the same way that, in the opposite direction, stress and depression favor the severity of symptoms.

At what age does it usually appear?
Only 5-10% of patients with Parkinson’s disease will be under 50 years of age at the time of diagnosis. This percentage doubles after 60 years of age, with an estimated 2-3% of the population over 75 years of age presenting symptoms associated with the disease. It is increasingly possible to make the diagnosis earlier, and this contributes to seeing more cases in people with juvenile Parkinson’s, while noting that hereditary influence is the main cause of seeing more cases at an early age.

How many people are affected by the disease in the DR?
The prevalence of Parkinson’s in the Dominican Republic has not been established with reliable statistical methods. There are multicentric initiatives that place it at 2% of the population, similar to high-income countries, however, a higher prevalence has been shown in Spanish-speaking Latino migrants in the United States.

What life expectancy does a person with Parkinson’s have?
The disease itself does not carry a significant risk of associated mortality, so people who suffer from it will live one or two years less than the general population. It is important to know that the variants of the disease influence the prognosis.

What are those variants?
In the Parkinson’s disease Clinically, the forms with dominant tremor or those where the rigidity and slowness of movement are more severe predominate. The latter are associated with a lower response to treatment and a greater tendency to develop cognitive impairment. Mutations in SNCA/PARK1 have been related to these forms of worst evolution.

What treatments exist?
There are medications that significantly reduce symptoms and disability from the disease. Levodopa, dopaminergic agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, botulinum toxin, baclofen, as the main pharmacological agents. Deep brain stimulation in selected cases is a surgical option for Parkinson’s disease.

What is the most difficult thing to cope with for a person who suffers from this evil?
Disability to move is undoubtedly the greatest burden related to the disease.

What advice do you suggest to the family of people with this disease?
Be properly informed, anticipate possible complications and try to live better every day.

What lines of research are being carried out around this disease?
Dr. Rossy Cruz currently directs the largest genetic project for the disease in the Dominican Republic, which will soon be available to improve the approach to this disease in the affected population.

Source-www.diariolibre.com