Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive disorder of the nervous system. It is a type of a movement disorder that affects how a person moves, walks, talks, and sometimes even eats or sleeps. Nearly one million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, most of whom are over the age of 50. If you or a loved one are looking for physical therapy in Sterling Heights, MI; call Empower Physical Therapy today!
People with Parkinson’s disease typically have one of the following symptoms: tremor, rigid muscles, slow movements, and impaired balance. Those affected can also experience depression or anxiety.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of cells that produce dopamine; dopamine allows for proper muscle control and coordination. Over time, the lack of dopamine leads to the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
As of now, there is no cure for this disease, but medications and surgery can treat the symptoms. Physical therapy in Sterling Heights, MI is also used to help with balance and gait issues. There have been recent advances in deep brain stimulation, a surgical treatment that implants electrodes into the brain, which have been shown to improve symptoms.
In the U.S., a person has a one in 100 chance of developing Parkinson’s disease by age 60 and a two in 100 chance of making it past 80 years old. While there is no actual “cure” for Parkinson’s disease, medication can help with the symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease start gradually and get worse over time. Symptoms of the disorder include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and trouble with balance and coordination. These symptoms are caused by the loss of dopamine neurons that produce a chemical called dopamine.
Dopamine is essential for controlling body movements. Without it, nerve cells cannot send information to the part of the brain that controls movement. The loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to malfunction and then die. Eventually, the cells that control posture and balance are destroyed as well.
Treatment:
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Treatments focus on alleviating specific symptoms such as tremors or stiffness using medications known as levodopa and dopamine agonists. These drugs produce dopamine to replace the cells that have been lost. Physical therapy in Sterling Heights, MI can also improve a person’s coordination and balance.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the need for care eventually becomes overwhelming for most people with Parkinson’s and their families. Many people with advanced Parkinson’s eventually move into nursing homes or other institutions for long-term care.
Contact Us:
As you can see, physical therapy in Sterling Heights, MI offers numerous treatment plans for those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. To schedule an appointment with us today check out our website or give us a call! We can help you!
