Parkinsons Disease - Research Paper Example

? Task: Introduction The societal setting offers variable measures to limit the adaptation aspects within the community. Diseases have been the constraints that have led to the establishment of setbacks that limit effective production. The development of the individual is dependent on the physical and psychological condition of the individual. Diseases exist in numerous categories, each representing a symptom that determines the effect exerted on the patient. The vulnerable groups in society have been the elderly and the young children prone to several diseases within the community. The prevalence of chronic diseases has been the leading setback of the vulnerable societal members with impaired psychological and physical functions. Of the most gruesome challenges has been the Parkinson’s disease that has proven to be a leading setback to the members of the society. The disease has been noted as the second most neurodegenerative ailment that affects the societal members. The repercussions of the condition have advanced the prospects in limiting effective sustenance of the physical condition and the desire to complete activities. The condition has limited the prevalence of the healthy condition within the society as the health organization and practitioners seek to adjust the society to accommodate the changes realized in the condition. Although a challenging medical condition among the members of the society, the analysis and statistics of Parkinson’s disease have assisted in curbing the dire effects. Disease Description Parkinson’s disease has been categorized as a leading cause of the loss in the control of the neurological functioning within the body. The leading characteristics of the disease have resulted in the loss of effective muscle performance and control within the affected individual. The primary effects of the condition have been in the effects generated in the central nervous system that impairs the manipulation within the muscles. The affected individual may have the symptoms in trembling of the hands and even their head while resting. There also occurs stiffness in the muscles that leads to the slowing of motor activities and the lack of physical balance. With the adverse condition, the patient may realize the difficulty in movement an even initiating effective speech because there will be minimal control of the muscles responsible for the movements. The adverse effects of the condition vary from variable patient as the condition bear varied symptoms. This is because a person may bear the disease while leading a healthy life and others may succumb to the symptoms to become disabled. Premature death of the patient may result from long-term injuries that may be the result of pneumonia. The brain holds dopamine that is responsible for transmitting messages between substantia nigra and the part called corpus striatum and result in the smooth movement and control of the limbs. Parkinson’s disease is advanced after the damage to the dopamine-producing cells located within the substantia nigra to lead to the lack of dopamine within the brain. With the lack of dopamine to relay messages between the two vital regions in the brain, there will be the generation of the condition referred to as Parkinson’s disease (Meagher et al, 2008). The level of dopamine determines the gravity of the condition with reduced levels leading to adverse symptoms in the condition. The disease may also adverse effects to be found in the damage of other vital sections within the brain to create the added effects in Parkinson’s disease. Although the reduction in the dopamine level in the brain lead to the reduced motor activities, the explanation of the reason in reduced, production in dopamine-producing cells is not established. However, the solution is considered in the genetic and variable environmental conditions that may cause harm to these cells. Parkinson’s Prevalence Statistics The U.S. has been recorded as the leading nation that upholds the spread of the condition with the elderly and mature individuals facing the adverse condition. An estimated, 25% of the entire global population suffers from the disease in the U.S. to present 1 million individuals diagnosed with the condition (Falvo, 2009). Majority of individuals who are diagnosed with the condition are over 60 years with the symptoms developed in impaired movement. An estimated 1% of those with 60 years and above suffer from the condition with 4% in older individuals of 80 depicting the majority of the symptoms. With increased population in the modern century, the number of individuals with Parkinson’s disease is expected to elevate. Although the disease is mostly evident in individuals who are elderly, the younger individuals may also depict the symptoms at 21-40 years. Over 50,000 advancing cases of Parkinson’s disease is reported on an annual analysis with over 40% of the cases remaining undiagnosed (Margis et al, 2010). The number of patients suffering from the condition may elevate to a high number of 6 million by 2030 to increase the medical attention needed to cater for the vulnerable societal group. The disease also varies in statistic across the gender with the male figures affected more as compared to their female counterparts. The disease affects the motor activities of elderly individuals to witness the reduced participation in development programs and events within the society. With the threat posed on the elderly individuals, the majority of the attentions need to be accorded in maintaining the health condition of individuals above 40 years. The younger individuals less than 40 years have a reduced chance of depicting the symptoms to suggest that old age may lead to the adverse effects in the condition. Moreover, the condition is realized in Caucasians more than in other races to present the figure of the members within the U.S. to be greater than other nations. Psychosocial Challenges in Parkinson’s Patients Just like other conditions that may affect the sustenance of individuals within the societal setting, Parkinson’s disease changes the lifestyle of the patient in a negative manner. Not only does the disease affect the physical condition of the patient, there is drastic influence on the psychological and social aspect of the patient’s life. The patients are affected because they will be incapable of relating positively to other members within the societal setting. Since the disease leads the patient’s failure in relating actively with the accorded contacts in the society, there will be reduced association with the effective measures for development (Falvo, 2009). There are the changes that the patient may be forced to observe with reduced physical activity. Sudden change may affect the emotional progress with the lack of control in the vital measures within their lifestyle. The symptoms may be progressed to failed social integration that may be presented in stigma and physical symptoms that may create reduced participation in development activities. Depression has also been a challenge to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. This measure is advanced due to the failed association with other societal members and reduced performance in the society. Patients are mostly alienated and presented in reformation facilities that are mostly surrounded with therapy sessions. This limits the positive presentation and measures needed to create reformations. Matthew and Marsh (2005) suggest that a patient may end up leading a depressed lifestyle with minimal attention from their loved ones who may choose to ignore the elderly patient. There are other effects of the condition that may limit the participation in the family bases. Patients suffer from sexual dysfunctions that may create tension within the family and lead to the promotion of poor lifestyle generated between spouses. The affected patients may develop the provision to seek psychological attention to help them cope with the sudden physical changes. Research Projects on Parkinson’s Due to the high prevalence of Parkinson’s condition, there have been increased efforts in research into the condition. These include the several aspects that are evident in the disease and how they affect the lives of patients. This was mainly to find ways in which the numerous symptoms of the disease are eased to improve the life quality of patients. The constant attempts of researchers to understand the disease more holistically have led to several discoveries that have made the lives of patients better, since it has resulted in headways in their attempt to ensure they live with minimal constrains from the disease. Various symptoms are resultant from this neurodegenerative disease. A prominent symptom, which is common among men with the condition, is erection dysfunction. This refers to the inability of a man to perform sexually due to the incapacity to realize an erection. This is a monumental problem since sexuality is a crucial aspect of an individual’s physical health. This is because if the sexuality of an individual affects the physical wellbeing of Parkinson’s patient. There are various causes of erectile dysfunction which include depression and the low levels of dopamine, which is crucial for communication in the brain and, consequently, in sexual performance (Schapira, 2010). This problem has been previously underrated, prompting researchers from Brazil to explore the main cause of the symptom among Parkinson’s sufferers. In the research, which involved 90 patients monitored by the research team, it came into consensus that depression was the leading cause of the dysfunction. Therefore, it is plausible for patients to ease these symptoms through various interventions that will reduce the stress levels enabling them to be sexually functional (Kummer, Cardoso and Teixeira, 2009). Sleeping has always been rated highly as a therapeutic activity. Researcher attempted to establish the advantages of sleep among Parkinson’s patients. After randomly selecting 243 patients to participate in the research, the samples were put in a controlled environment where they were encouraged to sleep restfully. Their behavior after the sleeping exercise was observed and recorded. The research came to consensuses that sleep had a positive influence among patients since it resulted in an improvement of the symptoms synonymous with the disease. This includes symptoms like erectile dysfunction and other cover symptoms like stress affecting the emotional and physical well being of the patient. This is because sleep was discovered to reduce depression and stress which are the main perpetrators of these symptoms (Schapira, 2010). Therefore, sleep was cited as an efficient and natural method of managing these symptoms and enhancing the life of the patient. Community Based Programs The community has a responsibility in making certain that Parkinson’s patients are recognized and that their unique needs are addressed through community initiatives. The disease affects adversely the life of an individual, therefore, influencing their social lives physically and emotion wise. It cannot be ignored that patients of the disease are different and that their incapacitations and disabilities due to the disease make them dependent on the community. Further making the situation complex, it is expensive to manage the disease. This results in the families of patients to have a torrid time in addressing the unique needs of the patient, and the financial obligations that come with management of this chronic disease. It is, therefore, only logical that the society offer their assistance, and this is not limited to cash handouts. It may not be a legal requirement to assist the dependant in the community, but is the moral and ethical action to take. The sensitivity of the community concerning the disease is evident with various initiatives being set up to address the challenges, which are actualized by the disease. A similar initiative is the Creativity and Parkinson’s Project. The initiative which is encompassed in Parkinson’s Project is an initiative seeking to ease the predicaments of families with Parkinson’s sufferers. The initiative involves a website founded initially by 300 patients and features artwork from various contributors including 13 professional artists. The proceeds realized from the activities of the website are channeled towards supporting the efforts of families to cater for the unique needs of the affected. This is essential in covering part of the expensive medical costs and other financial obligations affecting these families. There is also the Parkinson’s Pipeline Project, which involves members with backgrounds in law from the grass roots, who participate in advocating for the perspective of patients, to be considered during the development process of treatments for the chronic condition. The initiative also involves education and consultations, which involve the relevant stakeholders. This is done with the hope that more efforts will be directed towards finding solutions to manage and treat the disease. This is crucial in maintaining that the medical procedures and treatments are patient-centric hence efficient in managing the condition. This is considering that patients might be suggested to treatments that are not effective giving them false hope and costing them dearly in the process. The education of the patients makes them aware of the procedure currently present and what is effective. The initiative also acts to give voice to Parkinson’s patients to the relevant agencies. This will make the authorities, including medical practitioners and researcher, to be sentient of the concerns that affect them due to the condition and shortcomings in the available treatments. This will make certain that the stakeholders are put into check considering the issues on Parkinson’s disease. Interventions to Minimize the Effects of Parkinson’s Disease Since the disease is chronic, there is no conceivable treatment for the condition. Therefore, the patients are confined to management of the symptoms to ensure that they have some semblance of normalcy in their daily endeavors. Depression is a common symptom that is associated with the condition. Depression is mainly cited as the cause for erectile dysfunction a prominent symptom associated with the disease. To manage depression, the patients should be subjected to counseling to counter the effects of depression in the patient. Counseling is beneficial since the patient will be able to channel their concerns, which is efficient in reducing the stress level in the patient. If this is done, the patient’s wellness will be enhanced since certain symptoms related to stress and depression will be managed (Schapira, 2010). One of the benefits that will be realized is enhanced libido. In addition, the decrease in stress and depression will reflect in the individual’s health improving the life’s quality. Parkinson’s disease is notorious for causing physical disability. This is because it affects the motor functions of individuals causing impediments in their participation, in physical activities. To manage this symptom of the condition, the patients are encouraged to participate in physiotherapy. This is because this management practice will assist the patients to be able to counter the problems of mobility, hence, rediscovering their abilities in physical activities though they might not be restored fully. Conclusion Parkinson’s disease is a disorder which results in the failure of motor functions in patients. In addition, the disease also causes emotional and psychological stress due to the sudden changes in the living of the individual. This is because the patient will not be able to interact or function in the society as before. It is, therefore, crucial that the society understands the consequences of the disease on individuals, and comes up with initiatives to support the affected and their kin. The stakeholders in health should also come up with measures and interventions to manage the disease and its increasing prevalence. This will ensure that the future generation is healthy. References Falvo, D. (2009). Medical and psychosocial aspects of chronic illness and disability. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Kummer, A., Cardoso, F. & Teixeira, A. L. (2009). Loss of libido in Parkinson's disease. US National library of medicine, national institute of Health. 6(4):1024-31. Margis, R., Donis, K., Schonwald, S. & Rieder, C. M. (2010). WHOQOL-OLD assessment of quality of life in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease: influence of sleep and depressive symptoms. Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria, 32(2), 125-131. Matthew, M. & Marsh, L. (2005). Psychiatric Issues in Parkinson's Disease: A Practical Guide. New York: Taylor & Francis. Meagher, L. J., Ilchef, R., Silberstein, P., Cook, R. J., Wasson, D. & Malhi, G. S. (2008). Psych morbidity in patients with Parkinson’s disease following bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation: literature review. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 20(4), 182-192. doi:10.1111/j.1601- 5215.2008.00287.x Schapira, A. H. V. (2010). Parkinson's disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More