Parkinson’s disease (PD) entails a progressive disorder which affects the nervous system hence the body’s locomotion. The signs and symptoms vary from an individual to the other, but early signs include tremors on hands which causes stiffness and slowed movement (Dahodwala et al. 2009). Different scholars have documented varied biological effects of Parkinson’s diseases, with cultural factors being a central point of reference of these variations (Maffoni et al. 2017; Tickle-Degnen et al. 2011). Therefore, stated as the study question is; “What are the biological effects of Parkinson’s disease?
Discussion
A wide spectrum of comorbidities is always associated with PD. Studies by Hong et al. (2016) and Santiago et al. (2017) consider PD as a neurodegenerative disease that affect at least seven million people globally. Additionally, there is an evidence that the progression and pathogenesis of PD may implicate other illnesses such as diabetes, anemia, cancer, and depression. Further, early onset of PD affects the cognitive functioning of the victims, as well as, other effects such as hyposmia, constipation, dementia, and restless legs syndrome (Herna et al. 2002). Poor cognitive functioning is caused by dopamine deficits that lead to neurodegradation. These are non-motor biological effects of PD though their onset and progression have been revealed to vary due to cultural aspects and perceptions tied to these illnesses, as well as, the PD itself.
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Qualitative cohort studies by Hong et al. (2016) and Santiago et al. (2017) found that culture was significantly a key influencing factor when it comes to the effects and diagnosis of PD. There is a time differential in diagnosis of PD symptoms among people from cultures that do not embrace modern treatments and the westernized cultures. A focus group study by Chiong-Reivero et al. (2011) reported that, aboriginal cultures may perceive depression as natural and normal hence they do not attach weight on its treatment. Such an aspect tells that, it may take longer to diagnose PD hence its effects manifest intensively and become detrimental. Through meta-analysis studies approach, Hernan et al. (2002) and Sauerbier et al. (2018) reported that cultures that embrace the use of narcotic related substances have more detrimental biological effects PD, as well as, early onset of its symptoms – poor cognitive functioning, impaired muscle coordination, and slowed movement.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease has a wide array of biological effects ranging from impaired nervous system and cognitive functioning, movement, slowed muscles and speech, and body shaking among others. Culture has been identified to impart some variations when it comes to diagnoses and progression of the PD symptoms. Cultural perception on some of the symptoms of PD such as depression may influence the response towards its treatment which translates to intensified detrimental effects on the patients. However, these studies are based on qualitative techniques and none is based on a clinical trial experimental approach – and this can be a research gap to fill.
References
Hernán, M. A., Takkouche, B., Caamaño ‐ Isorna, F., & Gestal ‐ Otero, J. J. (2002). A meta ‐ analysis of coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, and the risk of Parkinson's disease. Annals of neurology , 52 (3), 276-284.
Sauerbier, A., Aris, A., Lim, E. W., Bhattacharya, K., & Ray Chaudhuri, K. (2018). Impact of ethnicity on the natural history of Parkinson disease. Medical Journal of Australia , 208 (9), 410-414.
Maffoni, M., Giardini, A., Pierobon, A., Ferrazzoli, D., & Frazzitta, G. (2017). Stigma experienced by Parkinson’s disease patients: a descriptive review of qualitative studies. Parkinson’s Disease , 2017 .
Tickle-Degnen, L., Zebrowitz, L. A., & Ma, H. I. (2011). Culture, gender and health care stigma: Practitioners’ response to facial masking experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease. Social Science & Medicine , 73 (1), 95-102.
Dahodwala, N., Siderowf, A., Xie, M., Noll, E., Stern, M., & Mandell, D. S. (2009). Racial differences in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders , 24 (8), 1200- 1205.
Chiong-Rivero, H., Ryan, G. W., Flippen, C., Bordelon, Y., Szumski, N. R., Zesiewicz, T. A., ... & Vickrey, B. G. (2011). Patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of the impact of Parkinson’s disease on health status. Patient related outcome measures , 2 , 57.
Santiago, J. A., Bottero, V., & Potashkin, J. A. (2017). Biological and clinical implications of comorbidities in Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in aging neuroscience , 9 , 394.
Hong, C. T., Huang, Y. H., Liu, H. Y., Chiou, H. Y., Chan, L., & Chien, L. N. (2016). Newly diagnosed anemia increases risk of Parkinson’s disease: a population-based cohort study. Scientific Reports , 6 , 29651.
