Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disease that causes several characteristic symptoms, including tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity. As symptoms progress, patients with Parkinson’s may have difficulty performing basic tasks, including talking and walking.

Parkinson’s disease is the result of the gradual destruction of cells in the brain responsible for producing and releasing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine controls movement and balance in the body and a sharp decline in the production of dopamine triggers the symptoms of Parkinson’s. It is not completely understood what causes the destruction of dopamine-producing cells in patients with Parkinson’s. However, experts suspect that an interaction between genes and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is both chronic and progressive, which means that it is a long-term condition that worsens over time. It typically begins in a person’s 50s or 60s and, for unknown reasons, occurs twice as often in men than women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease tend to emerge slowly and are often subtle at first. They usually affect just one side of the body initially, before moving to the other side of the body.

There are four major symptoms commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease. They are:

• Tremor. A trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face.
  
  
• Rigidity. Stiffness of the limbs and trunk.
  
  
• Bradykinesia. Slowness of movement.
  
  
• Postural instability. Impaired balance and coordination.

To date, no blood tests or other laboratory tests have been shown to accurately diagnose Parkinson’s disease. While diagnosis may be difficult, a neurological examination and other tests may provide clues to the presence of the illness.

Without treatment, patients usually experience a steady worsening of symptoms and a corresponding decline in quality of life. However, both the nature and severity of symptoms vary significantly from patient to patient, and overall prognosis is difficult to predict.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Medications are usually recommended and can substantially reduce a patient’s symptoms. While medications are often effective in reducing symptoms, they do not slow or stop the progression of the disease. If medications fail to alleviate symptoms, patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease may be advised to undergo brain surgery.

Typically, Parkinson’s disease cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes, although studies have also shown that caffeine consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease in some people.

There are several areas of research that are currently being conducted on Parkinson’s disease. They include studies to identify the cause of the disease, as well as any potential treatment or prevention methods.