Vibration disease

2000/04/30 Kortabarria Olabarria, Beñardo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Osasuna

Parkinson's disease is a disease that affects the nervous system. Parkinson's affects both movement control and coordination as well as parts of the brain responsible for maintaining muscle fondness and attitude. In one of these brain structures is the substance dopamine, that is, the substance that regulates the effectiveness and harmony of movements. Parkinson's disease occurs when the amount of dopamine decreases. The disease was first described in 1817 by the English physician James Parkinson.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Tremor, muscle stiffness and slowness and difficulty in starting movement are basic indicators of this disease. These symptoms may appear rarely or simultaneously, predominate in one part of the body, or a symptom may manifest more clearly than the rest.

Although the disease may have different characteristics between the patient and the patient, and the responses to medications are very varied, we must mention the set of most known symptoms that can help identify the beginning of Parkinson's:

- Lack of facial expression and clumsiness in the execution of movements. In saying movement, both the automatic ones (blinking, swallowing, balancing the arms when walking…) and the volunteers (dressing, getting up from the chair, writing…) are taken into account.

- The vibration is more pronounced during the stop and decreases when there is voluntary movement.

- Resistance or lack of flexibility to move the limbs. - Bending of trunk and head forward and joints elbows and knees. Patients find it difficult to maintain their balance and risk falling.

- After stumbling or losing balance, they have correction problems.

- March with short steps. They usually have periods of blockage (as if the feet were stuck on the ground) and the pace of the march is evident, with fast and confusing steps.

- Small and unreadable writing.

- Tendency to depressions.

- Constipation and excessive salivation.

Who is affected?

Although it is believed to be a disease of the elderly, it is not a round truth, because it is not uncommon for Parkinson's to start between 30 and 40 years. It is a disease that makes no distinction between races, as it can be observed in all countries of the world, and that has the same behavior as sex.

According to available data, every 100,000 inhabitants appear 20 new cases annually. Although it is not uncommon among the youngest, it mainly affects those over 55 years old, with 1% of the elderly having Parkinson's. Although the data are not entirely accurate, it is estimated that in Euskal Herria there are between 4,000 and 5,000 people suffering from this disease.

The origin of Parkinson's disease is unknown, what causes dopamine to decrease in the brain? To answer the question, in the world there are many scientists who are researching, but at the moment no reliable answers have been received. However, as mentioned in the introduction, it seems that the solution may be getting closer.

Until finding the solution, we try to improve the quality of life of patients. There is currently the ability to effectively control and treat Parkinson's disease, as medications are used to alleviate most symptoms. The treatment is based on the intake of dopamine, that is, on its permanent administration. In this way, after several months it has been proven that the results are satisfactory. However, the disease does not go away, the symptoms stop and slow down. Thus, in the daily life of patients there is no interruption in some years. With current medications, most of the main symptoms are controllable and, in addition, if the patient accepts his disease and adapts to it - despite its limitations - can lead an independent life.

Smoking good for Parkinson?

So it seems. According to statistics, it is at least clear that smokers have less Parkinson's. However, statistics have not been able to explain why and scientists have. One of the components of tobacco is compound naphtokinone. This compound acts on an enzyme (monoamine oxidase) located in the brain. In fact, in the normal chemical activity of the brain, GMO divides neurotransmitters -dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine…-. Researchers at the U.S. Virginia Tech research center have concluded that tobacco can prevent the work of MAO.

To reach this conclusion, researchers have worked with laboratory mice. Mice were given the drug MPTP, a drug that produces a disease similar to Parkinson's. This drug came to market in 1980, thinking it could reduce the effect of heroin, but high-dose drug addicts suffered from Parkinson's symptoms. As has been proven with mice, naftokinone provides genuine support for Parkinson. However, it should be noted that although tobacco may seem good for Parkinson, in general, it is very harmful to health and the pocket.

Published in 7