Parkinsons Disease Flashcards
Slowness of voluntary muscle control is known as:
Bradykinesia.
What is the common diagnostic age for patients with Parkinson’s?
50-60.
Affects men slightly more than women.
Most commonly idiopathic.
Parkinson’s is defined as:
Progressive, degenerative disorder of the basal ganglia resulting in gradual weakening or slowness of voluntary muscle mvt, increased muscle tone and resting tremor.
Which neural pathways are most affected in persons with Parkinson’s?
Those that carry dopamine. 80% cases.
It is the “focus” neurotransmitter.
What is the side effect or risk of consistently stimulating dopamine?
Can cause depletion of dopamine overtime.
-high or low levels lead to lack of motivation, forgetfulness, not being able to stay on task etc
What effect does acetylcholine have on the heart muscle?
Inhibitory effect (lowers heart rate)
What effect does dopamine have on skeletal tissue?
Inhibitory effect.
Counteracts acetylcholine.
What are the differences in symptom presentation are present during onset vs progressive stage of Parkinson’s?
Onset:
-slow mvt, mm weakness, lose fine motor mvt, resting tremor of distal extremities, typically unilateral, pill rolling motion of hand
Progression:
-rigidity after tremor (cogwheel or leadpipe), flexion contracture, can’t initiate mvt, unexpected stopping, festinating gait, postural reflex, micrographia, cognitive issues, autonomic n sensory changes, depression etc
The gradual loss of the blinking reflex and facial expression Defines which symptom of Parkinson’s?
Parkinsonian mask
-May stare, or have fixed gaze and appear to have diminished mental capacity
How can difficulty swallowing affect an individual with Parkinson’s?
-other than embarrassing drool, they can choke on it.
What respiratory complication are persons with Parkinson’s commonly affected by?
Pneumonia.
Levo-dopa, carbo-dopa, sinemet, parlodol and symmetrel are some dopamine influencing drugs.
True or false.
True.
Therapists can treat parkinsoninan patients before they have taken their medication. This is the best time.
True or false.
False.
After is best so tremors are reduced.
Parkinson’s patients have a tendency to look down so you may have to encourage them to lookup and to let them do as much as they can without over assisting.
True or false?
True.
The best seats for them are deep and heavily cushioned to give them support and decrease chances of them getting hurt.
True or false?
False.
They make it harder for them to get out of which can increase likelihood of them getting injured.
