ENVIRONMENT FACTORS AND PARKINSON’S

Parkinson’s is a disease that starts with a tremor, stiffness in muscles and change in posture. The symptoms are co-related with many other diseases that show Parkinsonism. It, therefore, becomes difficult to diagnose the disease. The disease is more often seen in aged people than in young adults. It’s more common in males than females. Even the best Parkinson disease specialist will have to fight his way to help the patient face the disease and the trauma involved all through.

The loss of neuron cells in SubstantiaNigra of the brain leads to decreased production of dopamine, impairing the function of transmission of signals to various parts of the brain. This affects movement, speech and sense of smell. The study of the disease and its immediate reason has been this so far. The disease is next worse to Alzheimer’s which too carries the similar symptoms.There can’t be anything worse than being unable to handle your daily chores.

The neurologists who have expertise in the disease have been working since many years in trying to understand the reason for its onset and how it can be prevented. The findings of the research apparently believe that there are certainly other factors that have contributed to the Parkinson’s disease.The Parkinson’s disease treatment can be more effective if the factors are understood, dealt and alerted among the manhood.

The constant exposure to chemicals, herbicides and pesticides are hazardous to the extent of having Parkinson’s. People who are into hard core engineering, chemical factory workers; farmers constantly exposed to herbicides and pesticides; people in war; are some of those who can become the target of Parkinson’s. These chemicals have said to affect the normal functioning of the brain. An accidental brain injury could also be the reason for the onset of the disease.

The environmental factors may or may not trigger the Parkinson’s, yet it cannot be overlooked. Also,it’s not necessarily that this should lead to Parkinson’s. The chemicals that may contribute to the disease are enlisted below.

• MPTP (1 – methyl – 4 – phenyl-1,2,3,6 – tetrahydro-pyridine) a toxin is believed to be one of the causes for Parkinsonism.
• The military veterans exposed to Agent Orange are more vulnerable to this disease apart from having cancer and other birth related problems to their offspring.
• Paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is the chemicals used in herbicides areobserved to cause cell death.
• Permethrin and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) is a chemical used in pesticides higly potent and capable of depleting the entire nervous system.
• Maneb, a component of fungicide leads to manganese poisoning and the ones affected share similar symptoms or face Parkinsonism.

They are believed to be some of thestimulants that can cause the disease but cannot be considered as the only reason for the disease to mount in all its intensity. There could also be others like genetic factors involved. The most genuine reason is still believed to be the degeneration of the nerve cells and the factors above are still to be proved.