Parkinson's Disease

• The exact cause of PD is unknown but there is a lack of movement and balance due to a lack of dopamine
• Clinical Signs

  • Tremors
  • Rigidity
  • Akinesia and Bradykinesia
  • Postural Instability
• Other clinical signs include hypokinetic dysarthria, pill rolling hand tremor, destination, masked face, drooling and cogwheel rigidity
• Diagnostic test

  • improved response to antiparkinsonian drugs confirms diagnosis
• Interprofessional Care (DOES NOT CURE)

  • Levodopa with carbidopa
  • do not take it with meals
  • Amantadine
  • monitor liver function
  • Selegiline, rasagilline
  • Change positions slowly
  • entacapone: only give with levodopa

  
  

  Medications have a tendency to wear off within 3-5 years
• Nutrition

  • Eat 6 small meals a day
  • Plan enough time for patient to eat
  • Levodopa absorption might be impaired by protein and vitamin B6 ingestion