Concept and Etiology
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative nervous system condition that impairs mobility (Ball et al.,
2019). Initial symptoms gradually appear and may begin with a barely detectable tremor in only one
hand. Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, drugs can help with symptoms.
Classification
Types of Parkinson's include:
Idiopathic Parkinson's disease, Juvenile Parkinson's, Drug-induced parkinsonism, Multiple system
atrophy, Progressive supranuclear palsy, Corticobasal syndrome, Dementia with Lewy bodies,
Vascular Parkinsonism, and normal pressure hydrocephalus (Jellinger, 2019).
Clinical manifestations
Its clinical manifestations include; Akinesia which is abnormal movement. Those who are suffering
can only move slowly. They may move shakily, taking brief, progressively little steps. Muscle
stiffness or rigidity is another common symptom that involves the limbs, legs, and neck, in
particular, that become stiff and strained over time (Santos‐García et al., 2020). If someone else
attempts to move the patient's limbs, it is difficult, if not impossible, and the individual stiffens up
even more. Most persons with Parkinson's disease experience tremors at rest, i.e., involuntary
shaking. It becomes worse as they move, but it is especially bad in the hands.
Diagnostic tests
The existence of motor symptoms is used to diagnose PD. The neurosurgeon employs a visual check
of fine motor and semi-quantitative rating measures, like the Hoehn–Yahr (HY) Scale and the
Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, to examine movement
problems (MDS-UPDRS) (Postuma et al., 2016). Because of neurologist bias, this subjective
evaluation leads to inter-and intra-rater variability; consequently, objective motor assessment
methods are critical in the future of PD diagnosis processes.
Multiple Sclerosis
Concept and Etiology: Multiple Sclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease involving genetic and
environmental factors affecting the autoreactive immune response that led to damage of myelin
(Deckx, 2013). The endocrine disturbances influence the course of the disease, since both
glucocorticoids and sex hormones have profound effects on the immune response also, endocrine
function in MS include hyperactivity of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) endocrine function
in MS include hyperactivity of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)- producing neurons,
dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and altered basal or stimulated
cortisol concentrations (Huitinga,2001).
How does it deviate from the definition of health? MS is a very serious health problem it deviates
from having a normal healthy lifestyle. Though the functions within the body are still creating
signals as a normal healthy person its targeting areas of the body that are causing pain and
unbalance sex life as well.
Classification: Currently, multiple sclerosis phenotypic classifications include relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis a clinically isolated syndrome (Sand, 2015). MS lesions were also classified as (p)
reactive (absence of demyelination, activated microglial cells and perivascular leukocyte
accumulation, hypertrophic astrocytes or chronic inactive demyelinated (Huitinga, 2001).
Clinical Manifestations: (Symptoms and Signs)
The symptoms are slurred speech, fatigue, dizziness, problems with sexual, bowel and bladder
function. The signs are numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, electric shock sensations that
occur with certain neck movements, Tremor, unsteady gait and partial or complete loss of vision
(Mayo clinic, n.d).
Diagnostic Test:
The preformed test that are done to determine MS are blood test to help rule put other diseases
with symptoms like MS, and to check for specific biomarkers associated with MS. Spinal tap (lumbar
puncture) un which a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed from your spinal canal. MRI
which reveals areas of MS (lesions) on the brain and spinal cord. Also, evoked potential tests which
record the electrical signals produced by your nervous system in response to stimuli (Mayo clinic,
n.d).
Deckx, N., & Lee, W.P., Berneman, Z.N., Cools, N. (2013). Neuroendocrine Immunoregulation in
Multiple Sclerosis. Clinical Developmental Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/705232
Huitinga, I., & De Groot, C., Van der Valk, P., Kamp horst, W., Tildes, F., Swaab, D. (2001).
Hypothalamic Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology,
60(12), 1208-1218. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnen/60.12.1208
Sand, I.K. (2015). Classification, Diagnosis, and Differential Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
PubMed.gov, 28 (3).193-205. https://doi.org10.1097/WCO.0000000000000206
Ball, N., Teo, W.-P., Chandra, S., & Chapman, J. (2019). Parkinson's disease and the environment.
Frontiers in neurology, 10, 218.
Doerr, B. M. (2015). Maslow's Hierarchy and Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review of
Stages and Interventions.
Jellinger, K. A. (2019). Is Braak staging valid for all types of Parkinson’s disease? Journal of Neural
Transmission, 126(4), 423-431.
Postuma, R. B., Berg, D., Adler, C. H., Bloem, B. R., Chan, P., Deutsch, G., . . . Joseph, L. (2016). The
new definition and diagnostic criteria of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet Neurology, 15(6), 546-548.
Santos‐García, D., de Deus Fonti Coba, T., Suarez Castro, E., Aneiros Diaz, A., McAfee, D., Catalan,
M., . . . Mir, P. (2020). Non‐motor symptom burden is strongly correlated to motor complications in
patients with Parkinson’s disease. European Journal of Neurology, 27(7), 1210-1223.
