What is Parkinsons?
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that may lead to tremors, rigidity, slowness of movements, gait disorder and a loss of balance. It’s important to know that every case is different and that not all people with Parkinson’s will experience all symptoms. There is an area of the brain called the substantia nigra that contains specialized cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that allows the smooth transition of nerve impulses among nerve cells. These impulses are necessary to the transmission of voluntary-movement messages to the muscles. When these specialized cells die, there is a dopamine deficiency. This results in interference in the transmission of the messages and can make voluntary movement difficult. Such a condition is known as Parkinson’s.
