Explain the Etiology and Clinical Features of Parkinson's disease?
The cause of Parkinson's is unknown. Genetic predisposition (in most cases the reason for the death of these dopamine neurons is unknown), and exposure to neurotoxins and industrial toxins are said to be important risk factors. Viral infection such as encephalitis can also produce the disease condition.
The common clinical features of the disease include:
- Slowness of movement
- Inability to initiate movements
- Muscular rigidity
- Resting tremor
- Postural instability
- Weight loss.
Parkinsonism describes the common symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as tremor, rigidity, akinesia (inability to initiate movements) or bradyhesia (slow movement) and postural instability. Considering the pathology of Parkinson's disease, the feeding and nutritional care is a crucial aspect in the management of the patients suffering from this disease. The next section focuses on the nutritional management of Parkinson's disease.