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Parkinson's disease

Low urgency
-Moderately severe

Neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, thinking, emotional management and the regulation of the body's autonomous systems. Although it can affect people from all over the world, it is more common in men over the age of 60.

Its cause is unknown, but the destruction of neurons in the black matter leads to a reduction in the production of dopamine, which causes the characteristic symptoms.

These include resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability.

The diagnosis is made clinically by interview and physical examination. Blood cultures and imaging tests are carried out to rule out other neurological conditions.

Although there is no cure, medical treatment with levodopa improves patients' quality of life and life expectancy.

Bibliographic references
  1. Joseph Jankovic. Etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. UpToDate. Octubre 2016
  2. Kelvin Chou. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Parkinson disease. UpToDate. Mayo 2016
  3. Postuma RB, Berg D. MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2015; 30:1591.
  4. C. Warren Olanow. Enfermedad de Parkinson y otras discinesias. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 449
  5. E. Tolosa Sarró. Enfermedad de parkinson y otros trastornos del movimiento. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna, ed 18. Capítulo 173
Author
Dr. Patricia Sánchez
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Tremor of the hands and fingers

    Loss of facial expressiveness

    Tremor at rest

    Slow thinking

    Loss of balance that leads to frequent falls

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever (temperature higher than 38 ºC)
Inability to initiate a movement
Reduction in the level of consciousness

Self-care

Maintain a balanced diet: increase fruit, vegetable, and white meat consumption and reduce the intake of fatty meals and fritters.
Engage in regular physical activity, adapted to age and physical condition, at least 3 times a week.
Try not to lift heavy objects.
Avoid walking backwards.
Check with your general practitioner about the prescription for antiparkinsonian medication.
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