
If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you are likely wondering what may have led to its development. Though Parkinson’s has more than one possible cause, there is a chemical in the brain called dopamine that factors heavily into a senior’s risk of developing the condition. To help you and your loved one better understand dopamine’s role in this process, the Palm Beach home care experts at Home Care Assistance would like to share some information about the connections.
Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive brain disorder caused by neurodegeneration. Although the disease itself is not fatal, the complications associated with it can be severe. The main contributing factor to Parkinson’s is the reduced production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for relaying messages to the parts of the brain that control movement. The movement-related symptoms seen in individuals with Parkinson’s disease occur due to the damage of dopamine-producing cells.
When this imbalance occurs, a number of symptoms can appear, including:
- Poor balance
- Lack of motor coordination
- Tremors and shaking
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty moving and walking
- Dizziness and fainting