The neurosurgeon of the Albert Einstein and Rede D’Or hospital, Dr. Wanderley Cerqueira, clarifies the Parkinson’s disease, which affects the journalist Renata Caputti
Journalist Renata Capucci revealed that she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 45. Now, aged 49, Rede Globo’s professional says she was surprised by the diagnosis. Her first symptom was an inexplicable limp, the second was a stiffening in one of her arms.
The neurologist and neurosurgeon of the Albert Einstein and Rede D’Or hospital, Dr. Wanderley Cerqueira de Lima explains that Parkinson’s is a progressively evolving neurodegenerative disease that attacks the central nervous system.
“Its cause is undefined, although genetic and environmental factors can be decisive such as drugs for the treatment of mental disorders (mainly the drug Aldol), pesticides and other chemicals”, explains the doctor.
According to the professional, the disease affects men more than women and usually appears after the age of 50, but can also occur in other age groups. When it occurs between the ages of 40 and 50, as in the case of Renata, it is referred to as early Parkinson’s.
Symptoms
“I started limping and people were saying to me, ‘Why are you limping, Renata?’. And I was like, ‘I’m not limping.’ I didn’t realize I was limping. It hasn’t changed. ..) I was at home and my arm went up on its own, stiffened, and my husband, who is a doctor, took me to a hospital that had a neurological emergency and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, like a ‘ anvil over the head, “Renata told the Fantástico podcast on Rede Globo.
Alerts issued by the journalist’s body are among the most common symptoms, as Dr. Wanderley:
- tremors
- muscle stiffness
- Movement decreased
- Changes in posture and balance
According to the doctor, there are still non-motor symptoms:
- Autonomic dysfunctions (postural hypotension, gastrointestinal symptoms, constipation, urinary problems, sexual dysfunction)
- Psychosis
- Apathy, depression, anxiety and other mood disorders
- sleep disorders
The neurologist explains that the patient has both motor and non-motor manifestations and dementia can appear 5 or more years after the onset of symptoms. He warns of the importance of always being vigilant:
“In the case of the journalist Renata Caputti, she claims that she did not notice that she was limping and then her husband noticed her stiff arm. This can happen, and it is especially important to be aware of any different situation in the manifestations of tremors, and stiffness in the body. “, points out.
Diagnosis is clinical, based on the patient’s medical history and also on neurological examination, such as brain MRI.
Treatment
The doctor. Wanderley reveals that, since there is no cure for Parkinson’s, treatment relies on drugs that try to reduce the progression of the disease. “The treatment is individualized and the drug levodopa is used in all stages of the disease. Other treatments include antidepressants and constipation drugs,” explains the doctor.
The practitioner also emphasizes the importance of physiotherapy and speech therapy as well as occupational therapy and psychological support and family support.
“When patients have tremors that do not respond to or have drug intolerance, neurosurgical treatment is performed with the implantation of a deep brain electrode connected to a pacemaker,” he comments. However, patients with dementia and severe depression cannot implant the lead.
As Dr. Wanderley, Parkinson’s disease prognosis is progressive and there is no prevention. “There is currently promising research for the disease and it is always a hope for all of us,” he says.
It is estimated that 1% of the world population has the diagnosis. In Brazil alone, around 200,000 people suffer from the problem.
Source: Dr. Wanderley Cerqueira de Lima, neurologist and neurosurgeon at the Israelite Albert Einstein and Rede D’Or Hospital.
Source: Terra
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