Overview of the Condition
Parkinson’s is a chronic disease that is widely present in humans. According to Bloem et al. (2021), “Parkinson’s disease represents a fast-growing neurodegenerative condition” (p. 1). The main feature of this condition is that it impacts the person’s central nervous system (Lindop & Skelly, 2021). The disease is of great concern to scientists and doctors, as there is still no accurate data on its causes in humans.
Definition, Onset, and Course of the Condition
In the onset and course of Parkinson’s disease, one should highlight the set of factors. First, one should understand that Parkinson’s disease will likely appear in older patients, which means that humans have a greater chance of obtaining this condition after 60 (Lindop & Skelly, 2021). Among the possible causes of Parkinson’s disease are genetics, environmental factors, and a person’s age (Chia et al., 2020). However, the lack of an accurate understanding means the direct reason for Parkinson’s disease cannot be stated precisely.
Prevalence and Incidence Locally and Globally
As Parkinson’s disease is prevalent locally and globally, it is necessary to mention the demographic situation in the world. As stated earlier, this condition is likely to occur in older people. Given that the world’s population tends to have a more significant number of older people (Chia et al., 2020), it is vital to realize that the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease will grow. As Bloem et al. (2021) state, “the rising prevalence worldwide resembles the many characteristics typically observed during a pandemic” (p. 1). Therefore, one should highlight that external factors can also cause the growing number of Parkinson’s disease cases.
Classification and Severity of the Condition
One can discover several stages of Parkinson’s disease. To identify them, medical specialists and researchers use various systems. One of the most common systems is the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, which states five main phases of Parkinson’s disease (Perju‑Dumbrava, 2021). For each step, this scale highlights specific symptoms. For example, in the fourth and fifth stages, there are symptoms such as limited mobility without help and the risk of falling (Perju‑Dumbrava, 2021). Consequently, these symptoms are presented in lower conditions while considering the earlier stages, such as mild or moderate phases.
References
Bloem, B. B., Okun, M. S., & Klein, C. (2021). Parkinson’s disease. The Lancet, 397(10291), 2284-2303. Web.
Chia, S. J., Tan, E.-K., & Chao, Y.-X. (2020). Historical Perspective: Models of Parkinson’s Disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(7), 2464. Web.
Lindop, F., & Skelly, R. (2021). Parkinson’s disease: An interdisciplinary guide to management. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Perju‑Dumbrava, L., Barsan, M., Leucuta, D. C., Popa, L. C., Pop, C., Tohanean. N., & Popa, S. L. (2021). Artificial intelligence applications and robotic systems in Parkinson’s disease (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 23(2). Web.
