What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous symptom disorder that progressively impacts movement. While early signs of the disease typically include tremors and soft or slurred speech, once the disease advances, your ability to perform automatic movements can diminish. Many individuals with Parkinson’s disease struggle to smile, swing their arms, and even blink.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person. Though symptoms may be mild at first, they typically worsen and become more apparent over time. Depending on the progression of the disorder, Parkinson’s disease symptoms may include:
- Stiff Muscles
- Tremors
- Slowed movement
- Unstable balance
- Poor posture
- Difficulty writing
- Speech problems
- Loss of ability to perform automatic movements
Parkinson’s disease generally affects one side of the body before progressing to the other side. One telltale sign of the disease is difficulty swinging your arms when you walk due to diminished automatic movements.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease develops when neurons in the brain deteriorate. Many neurons, or nerve cells, produce a chemical called dopamine. When these cells start to die, your dopamine levels deplete, which can cause many of the uncomfortable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
In many instances, Parkinson’s disease is genetic, but exposure to certain toxins may increase your risk of the disorder. Other common risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include:
- Being male
- Being over the age of 60
- Having a family history of the disease
- Exposure to pesticides and herbicides
While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, regular exercise and maintaining good overall health may help reduce your chances of developing the disorder.
What are the treatments for Parkinson’s disease?
Several medications can help minimize the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. At Compassionate Telemedicine, Dr. Kendrick prescribes low-dose THC, or medical marijuana, to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Cannabis is a dopamine agonist, which means it attaches to the dopamine receptors in your brain. When taken as prescribed, medical marijuana has been shown to alleviate many of the neurological symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Kendrick treats Texans statewide, legally prescribing low-dose THC to relieve the symptoms of many chronic conditions.
To learn more, call Compassionate Telemedicine or schedule an appointment online today.
