Parkinson's Flashcards
Bradykinesia
Impaired ability to adjust the body’s position characterized by the slowed ability to start and continue movements
Conjugate gaze
The eyes operate together as if they were joined
Electromyography (EMG)
An instrument that converts the electrical activity associated with functioning skeletal muscle into a visual record or sound. It has been used in biofeedback training and to diagnose neuromuscular disorders
Encephalitis lethargica
A viral encephalitis in which somnolence is marked. it was an epidemic between 1917 and 1926
Festinating gait
Involuntary acceleration while walking
Hallervorden-spatz
A disorder characterized by dystonia with other extrapyramidal dysfunctions appearing in the first two decades of life; associated with large amounts of iron in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra
Insidious (onset)
When onset of disease is subtle and stealthy
Kyphosis
A rounded upper back due to the thoracic spinal column being overly exaggerated in an outward manner
Lewy body
Laminated, round bodies found in vacuoles in the cytoplasm of some neurons of the midbrain in Parkinson’s disease
“Off time”
When medications do not control parkinson’s disease symptoms. They can occur before a medication has had time to work or when it has worn off from previous doses
“On time”
When symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are controlled successfully by medications
Paresthesias
A sensation of pricking, tingling or creeping on the skin having no objective cause and usually associated with injury or irritation of a sensory nerve or nerve root
Postural instability
When a person cannot keep their body balanced/stable
Saccadic eye movements
Small, rapid jerky movements of the eye, when attempting to change point of focus
Scoliosis
A lateral curvature of the spine due to unequal distribution of rigidity in the trunk
