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Parkinsons

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Week 1 Assignment
SOC313: Social Implications of Medical Issues (CGF1347A)
Instructor: Ty Little
11/23/2013

Parkinson’s disease can take a toll on the patient and the family members. This disease can make a person feel like there is no hope, but there is. There are many people out there; about 1 million Americans have been diagnosed. There is research happening every day to try and find a cure for this. In the 21st century it shows genetics are what causes this with 6 different genes but they have yet to pinpoint what causes. Nerve cells make an important chemical called dopamine. Dopamine sends signals to the part of your brain that controls movement. It lets your muscles move smoothly and do what you want them to do. There are four major signs that you may have Parkinson’s:
Tremors, which means shaking or trembling. Tremor may affect your hands, arms, or legs.
Stiff muscles.
Slow movement.
Problems with balance or walking. There are many factors in what can cause Parkinson’s; this is why there is such a hard search for a cure. According to the video, a person who shot up Heroin gave him instant Parkinson’s, it was tainted. It is hard to figure out how to cure since it can happen to people in different ways. There is a drug out there that many people with Parkinson are prescribed, this is called Sinement (Carbidopa/Levodopa) there is extended release and immediate release of this drug and has been shown to not cure but to help with the symptoms. Now they are doing stem cell research to help people they are cells that can be put back in the brain and restart the dopamine, from abortive tissue and transferring them into patients. There are many problems with stem cell research. One of the problems is the religious groups that wish to have the research stopped. They believe that killing an embryo is the same as aborting a fetus in a mother. Even though there is to be a separation of church and state the religious groups feel that this is considered murder. The arguments are valid and need to be looked into, although scientists believe that the embryos have no soul and they are not considered a human fetus. Embryonic stem cells are removed from a developing embryo only a few days after fertilization. The next is the federal funding that may stop the research. With more funding they should be able to research more in depth and make major progress towards the disease. That a cure is within reach according to a Senator and doctors 10 to 15 years is not a long time to find a cure. This may not happen but could, science needed the money. This is where Michael J. Fox came in and kicked off the debate and brought other Hollywood stars with other diseases come with him to have the voices heard. The first thing a patient has to remember is that there is help. There are many people out there with this disease and there are support groups now that can help you. The support groups can help you find material to read about the disease find out what to expect and how to cope with it. Not only for the patient but for the caregivers and family of the patient, there is always going to be emotional support in these groups since they are have gone through or is going through what you are. The next is exercise; make sure that you do not stop. They always say that if you let the disease stop you, you are no longer in control of your life. Exercise; let yourself know that you are still in control of your body. Educational groups often have guest speakers, discussion groups are where participants share their concerns, questions and receive support Exercise and relaxation groups for the person with Parkinson's or their caregiver. Some are general exercise groups while others offer specific modalities like tai-chi, yoga, meditation, and basic exercise. Studies in monkeys have shown that this is true about the exercise. They studied two sets of animals. One set at rest and one in motion, and then they injected the drug that can cause instant Parkinson’s. The ones at rest were affected immensely, the ones that were on treadmills shows little signs of the slowing of dopamine. This can be a breakthrough that exercise can help a patient that has been diagnosed. As mentioned above there are signs of Parkinson’s, but there are 5 major stages that happens in Parkinson’s. Stage one is the mild version of the disease, they are unusually symptoms but not bad enough to hurt the daily way of living. The signs are so minimal at this stage it is often missed. Stage 2 is the moderate form, the symptoms are much more noticeable, the stiffness, the tremors, and balance problems. This stage can take months to years to show from stage one. Stage 3 is was marks the major turning point in the disease, they are the same symptoms in stage 2 however, loss of balance is more, decreasing of the reflexes happen in this stage as well, making daily life and living very hard. Medications and physical therapy should be introduced if not done yet. Stage 4 is where movement is harder, standing maybe harder and walkers are needed. Patients at this stage are unable to live alone. Stage 5 is the last stage of the disease, this stage is debilitating and most advanced of Parkinson’s. Stiffness in legs makes it hard to stand, you can freeze while standing making you a board, or you are unable to stand and you fall. In this stage you may even have some hallucinations and occasional delusions. So as you see this is not a disease to take lightly, and we need to make sure that we can keep searching for a cure and what is causing this in over millions of American alone. With people working together and the government working together we can find a cure for Parkinson’s. (Parkinson's Disease)

(2003). Retrieved 11 23, 2013, from The Controversy over Stem Cells and Parkinson's Disease: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web1/mosorio.html
Borrow, K. (2007, 01 12). Dissecting the Stem Cell Controversy. Retrieved 11 23, 2013, from http://nydailynews.healthology.com/parkinsons-disease/article789.htm
By Patrick McNamara, P. (2009, 06 11). The Challenge of Relationships with Parkinson's Disease. Retrieved 11 23, 2013, from http://parkinsons.about.com/od/livingwithpd/qt/challenges_relationships.htm
(n.d.). http://video.pbs.org/video/1082086931/.
Parkinson's Disease. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 23, 2013, from 5 Stages of Parkinson's: http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/parkinsons-stages#6
Parkinson's Disease: Challenges, P. a. (2004, 11). Retrieved 11 23, 2013, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_research.htm#wrong
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/parkinsons-stages#6

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