A Simple Guide to Parkinson's Disease and Related Brain Conditions

Brain Diseases

The brain is the control center of the body. It controls thoughts, memory, speech and movement. It regulates the function of many organs. When the brain is healthy, it works quickly and automatically. However, when problems occur, the results can be devastating.

What are Brain Diseases?

1. Infections of the brain lead to problems such as vision loss, weakness and paralysis.

2. Ischemia of the brain leads to loss of brain cells, which happens if you suffer a stroke, can affect your ability to think clearly

3. Brain tumors also press on nerves and affect brain function.

4. Some brain diseases are hereditary - neurogenetic diseases, e.g. Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy

5. developmental disorders, e.g. cerebral palsy;

6. Degenerative brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease.

7. trauma, e.g. spinal cords and heads injury;

8. convulsive disorders, e.g. epilepsy;

The symptoms of brain diseases vary widely depending on the specific problem.
In some cases, damage is permanent.
In other cases, treatments such as surgery, medicines or physical therapy can correct the source of the problem or improve symptoms.

The best diagnosis of brain diseases is by an MRI of the brain.

Treatment include :
1.Surgery to stop bleeding in subarachnoid hemorrhage, a burst aneurysm in the brain blood vessels
2.Surgical removal of small brain tumors
3. radiation therapy for treatment of larger tumors
4. Medications for seizures, Parkinson, infections
5. blood thinners for blood clot in brain

Parkinson’s Disease

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease is a disorder of old age characterized by slow movement , rest tremors , rigidity and poor coordination.

Who gets Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease usually after the age of 50 years.

Incidence is about 0.2% of population.

It is one of the most common neurologic disorders of the elderly.

It affects both men and women.

What causes Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease results when the nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement are gradually destroyed.

Nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help send signals back and forth. Damage in the area of the brain that controls muscle movement causes a decrease in dopamine production.

Low dopamine affects the balance between nerve-signaling substances (transmitters). As a result, the nerve cells cannot properly send messages. This results in the loss of muscle function.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

Early symptoms may be nonspecific and my include numbness, painful and tender muscles, stiffness and weakness of limbs, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

As the disease progresses, the classical features of Parkinson's Disease appear:

1. Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)

2. Leadpipe rigidity

3. Rest tremors

4. Postural instability

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter 1 Brain Diseases

Chapter 2 Parkinson’s Disease

Chapter 3 Cerebral Palsy

Chapter 4 Huntingdon’s Chorea

Chapter 5 Encephalitis

Chapter 6 Epilepsy

Chapter 7 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Chapter 8 Brain Aneurysm

Chapter 9 Brain Cancer

Chapter 10 Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Chapter 12 Head Injury

Epilogue