Scenario 4: A 67-year-old man presents to the HCP with chief complaint of tremors in his arms. He also has noticed some tremors in his leg as well. The patient is accompanied by his son, who says that his father has become “stiff” and it takes him much longer to perform simple tasks. The son also relates that his father needs help rising from his chair. Physical exam demonstrates tremors in the hands at rest and fingers exhibit “pill rolling” movement. The patient’s face is not mobile and exhibits a mask-like appearance. His gait is uneven, and he shuffles when he walks and his head/neck, hips, and knees are flexed forward. He exhibits jerky or cogwheeling movement. The patient states that he has episodes of extreme sweating and flushing not associated with activity. Laboratory data unremarkable and the HCP has diagnosed the patient with Parkinson’s Disease.
In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following:
1) Both the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that would account for the patient presenting these symptoms.
2) Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
3) How these processes interact to affect the patient.
The assignment is 1 to 2 pages and provide a minimum of three references
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Parkinson Disease Case Study Analysis
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Parkinson Disease Case Study Analysis
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Pathophysiologic Processes
The patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which affects the neurological and musculoskeletal systems. The disease affects the neurological system leading to an uncontrolled and jerky movement that undermines the movement of a patient (Ryan et al., 2021). Other symptoms include tremors, rigid muscles, impaired posture, and loss of automatic movement. The symptoms impair the ability to complete daily activities. Parkinson’s disease is self-limiting and increases the reliance on other people for support or accomplishing daily activities (Ryan et al., 2021). The autoimmune illness has no known cause and treatment depends on the symptoms. The disease causes the cell that makes dopamine to die causing poor coordination of cells and muscles. The effect is poor coordination of the muscles and slowly with time the symptoms get worse (Ryan et al., 2021). The rigidity of the muscles affects the legs, hands, neck, and face. Immediate medical attention if effective to avoid adverse health outcomes that can undermine the capacity to carry out activities independently.
Racial/Ethnic Variables
It is difficult to predict the role of racial and ethnic variables in the case study of the patient. The case study does not indicate if the patient is from a certain ethnic group. However, research shows that some ethnic groups are more at risk of Parkinson’s disease as compared to others (Newman et al., 2019). For instance, African-Americans are more at risk of Parkinson’s disease as compared to Caucasians. Hispanics are more at risk compared to the non-Hispanics. Statistics indicate that Hispanics have the highest incidence of the disorder while Blacks have the lowest incidence (Newman et al., 2019). The condition is common in men compared to female Hispanics. The information about the group at risk of the disease is critical in taking precautions to avoid adverse outcomes. For instance, healthcare workers can provide education about the disease, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition. States such as Vermont have a responsibility to take a proactive role to address the challenge (Seppi et al., 2019). Statistics indicate that the state records the highest number of Parkinson’s disease among Hispanics and Blacks (Seppi et al., 2019). Although the relationship between race and Parkinson’s disease is controversial it is vital to take precautions to avoid the disease that affects the neurological and musculoskeletal systems.
Effect on the Patient
The neurological and musculoskeletal systems interact to affect a patient’s daily life. One of the major effects of the disease is the motor function of a patient. For instance, the disease affects the muscles leading to poor coordination, maintaining balance, and walking (Amara & Memon, 2018). A patient may require help to avoid falling. If the disease continues to worsen, the health of a patient is at risk since it will interfere with the sleeping, memory, talking, and thinking processes (Amara & Memon, 2018). Behavioral changes are evident among patients suffering from adverse effects of the disease.
Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease experience a wide range of physical, neurological, and psychological effects. Some of the effects include anxiety, depression, and loss of sense of smell (Amara & Memon, 2018). The effect of the disease on the brain affects the transmission of messages to coordinate different body organs. Although the disease cannot be cured, it is vital to prescribe medication to patients to control the symptoms (Seppi et al., 2019). Levodopa is one of the medications that patients can take to enhance the functionality of the brain and lessen the effects on a patient (Seppi et al., 2019). The objective of the treatment is to lessen the negative effects on patients.
References
Amara, A. W., & Memon, A. A. (2018). Effects of exercise on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. Clinical therapeutics, 40(1), 8-15.
Newman, J. M., Sodhi, N., Wilhelm, A. B., Khlopas, A., Klika, A. K., Naziri, Q., … & Mont, M. A. (2019). Parkinson’s disease increases the risk of perioperative complications after total knee arthroplasty: a nationwide database study. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 27(7), 2189-2195.
Ryan, D., Fullen, B., Rio, E., Segurado, R., Stokes, D., & O’Sullivan, C. (2021). The effect of action observation therapy (AOT) in the rehabilitation of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 100106.
Seppi, K., Ray Chaudhuri, K., Coelho, M., Fox, S. H., Katzenschlager, R., Perez Lloret, S., … & Djamshidian‐Tehrani, A. (2019). Update on treatments for nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease—an evidence‐based medicine review. Movement Disorders, 34(2), 180-198.
