Parkinsons Flashcards
Who is most likely to get Parkinson’s
Age 50-60
Men more than women
What is the most common reason for Parkinson’s
Idiopathic
Which part of the brain is affected by Parkinson’s
The substantia nigra (basal ganglia)
What happens to the neurotransmitters due to Parkinson’s?
Most of dopamine is destroyed (excitatory/inhibitory)
Acetylcholine is intact (excitatory)
(Normally these two are balanced)
What does dopamine do?
It helps us focus. Stimulating it consistently can cause a depletion of if over time
Differentiate btwn s and s at onset and during progression:
Onset- resting tremor, mm weakness, loss of fine motor movement
Progression- cog wheel rigidity, lead pipe, flexion contracture, difficulty initiating activity, bradykinesia, festinating Gait, postural reflex, micrographia, Parkinsonian mask, cognitive issues, loss of vocal control, swallowing, cough, pain, automatic and sensory changes, depression
Didferentiate btwn festinating gait and postural reflex
FG- flexed posture and short shuffling steps trying to keep up with upp body, getting faster as start to walk and hard to stop
PR- reaction to above, causing ppl to fall backwards
What is microphagia?
Small writing- hard to start/stop motion required
What is the Parkinsonian mask?
Loss pf blinking reflex and facial expression that makes the look like theyre not paying attention
Why is a common symptom of parkinsons depression?
Bc they have loss of dopamine which is a motivating neurotransmitter
And embarassment of drooling and loss of facial expressions
What are some autonomic and sensory changes assoc with parkinsons?
Hate heat, sweat a lot, icreased lacrimation, constipation, urinary incontinence
Name common drugs for parkinsons
Drugs to increase dopamine levels-Leva dopa Carbo dopa Sinemet Amantadine Symmetrel Bromocriptine Parlodol Anticholinergic drugs- Benzotropine Biperiden Diphenhydramine Ethopropazine Orphenadrine Procyclidine Trihexyphenidyl
Name some considerations for parkinsons treatments
-book after medication
-leave extra time after appts
-schedule when clinic isnt busy
Do not over assist
-instruct them to march it out and look up
Define Parkinson’s
Progressive
Degenerative
Disorder of basal ganglia
Resulting in: bradykinesia (gradual weakness/slowness of voluntary mm movement, increased tone and testing tremor
