Deterioration progresses for an average of 10 years, at which time death usually results from aspiration pneumonia or some other infection. Parkinson's disease is one of the most common crippling disease, affecting men more often than women. Parkinson's strikes 1 in every 100 people over the age of 60. Although the cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, studies have established that a dopamine deficiency prevents affected brain cells from performing their normal inhibitory function within the central nervous system. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are muscle rigidity and akinesia.
Muscle rigidity results in resistance to passive muscle stretching.
Akinesia causes the patient to walk with difficulty. Parkinson's disease does not impair the intellect. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is based on the patient's age and history, and the characteristic clinical picture. Since there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, the primary aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and keep the patient functional as long as possible. Treatment consists of drugs, physical therapy, and in severe cases, neurosurgery.