Definition
James Parkinson, who was one of the first ones to document symptoms of this disease, was born in the outskirts of London in 1755. His father was a surgeon, with whom James got his medical apprenticeship with at the age of 16. James continued his medical career with many contributions including papers and books on the affects of lightning strikes, guide’s on how to raise children, chemistry, geology and his support for revolutionary change (Burch and Sheering 2005). In 1815, he published An essay on the shaking palsy, which talked about the tremors of the disease. Although the term has been used vaguely before, he was the only one who wrote about it with precise classification and detail. The slowly progressive nature of this tremor, along with the gait of patients, is what he called paralysis agitans (Burch and Sheering 2005).
I chose to do my project on Parkinson's because it has been one of my interest's ever since my Uncle was diagnosed with it. Although overseas, I continually watch and observe the progression of the disease. There are a number of things that medical doctors and anthropologists might approach this disease. A traditional Physician might only focus on treating the physiological abnormalities in the affected brain regions. Prescribing L-Dopa and other Dopamine producing medications would be an example. Since there is no real cure for Parkinson's, holistic and alternative approaches are attractive options. This approach combines nutrition, emotions, environment and spirituality. Examples include meditation, biofeedback, eastern medicine, herbal therapy, homeopathy and more (Healthy News 2004).
I chose to do my project on Parkinson's because it has been one of my interest's ever since my Uncle was diagnosed with it. Although overseas, I continually watch and observe the progression of the disease. There are a number of things that medical doctors and anthropologists might approach this disease. A traditional Physician might only focus on treating the physiological abnormalities in the affected brain regions. Prescribing L-Dopa and other Dopamine producing medications would be an example. Since there is no real cure for Parkinson's, holistic and alternative approaches are attractive options. This approach combines nutrition, emotions, environment and spirituality. Examples include meditation, biofeedback, eastern medicine, herbal therapy, homeopathy and more (Healthy News 2004).
Bedhari, Madhuri, Kalyan Bhattacharyya, and Garima Shukla. "Parkinson's disease." Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 2 (2011): s2-s6.
Burch, D., and F. Sheering. "Parkinson's Disease." Lancet 365 (2005): 622-627.
Healty News. "A Holistic Approach to Parkinson's Disease - Healthy News Service." Alternative Health, Wellness and Healthy Living Information, Articles and News. http://www.healthy.net/scr/News.aspx?Id=10205 (accessed August 13, 2013).
S, Scott. "Understanding the challenge of parkinson's disease." Nursing Standard 15, no. 41 (2002): 48-56.
Science Daily. "Parkinson's Treatment Shows Positive Results in Clinical Testing." Science News. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111104056.htm (accessed August 13, 2013).
Burch, D., and F. Sheering. "Parkinson's Disease." Lancet 365 (2005): 622-627.
Healty News. "A Holistic Approach to Parkinson's Disease - Healthy News Service." Alternative Health, Wellness and Healthy Living Information, Articles and News. http://www.healthy.net/scr/News.aspx?Id=10205 (accessed August 13, 2013).
S, Scott. "Understanding the challenge of parkinson's disease." Nursing Standard 15, no. 41 (2002): 48-56.
Science Daily. "Parkinson's Treatment Shows Positive Results in Clinical Testing." Science News. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111104056.htm (accessed August 13, 2013).