MEN MORE PRONE TO PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neuro degenerative disease that is effecting 0.3% of the population and about 2% of those above the age of 60 years.

Prof Rakesh Shukla, department of neurology, King George’s Medical University said, “The possible triggers for PD could be manganese, pesticides and solvents, carbon monoxide and head trauma. There is a similar mention of a disease called Kampa Vata in the ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatise much before Parkinson’s description.”

He said one person out of 40 will develop the disease during normal life time. Men have 1.5 times greater risk of PD than women and between 15 to 20 percent patients have a family history.

PD is a chronic and progressive movement disorder with unknown cause. However genetic and environmental causes are said to be possible reasons for the disease.

PD involves malfunction and death of vital nerves in an area of the brain called substantia nigra located in the mid brain.

The neurons in the substantia nigra produce dopamine a chemical that sends messages to the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination.

The Indian medical Association (IMA) has organised an awareness programme on PD on Tuesday at the IMA Bhavan. In this event experts will share the details with the participating doctors.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE IS A CHRONIC AND PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT DISORDER WITH UNKNOWN CAUSE.