Parkinson's disease is one of the most common nervous system
disorders affecting the elderly. Parkinson's disease occurs when
the nerve cells in the brain that make a checmical called
dopamine are slowly destroyed. Dopamine helps control muscle
movement. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the
brain cannot properly send messages. This leads to the loss of
muscle function. The damage gets worse with time. Exactly why
these brain cells waste away is unknown. Secondary parkinsonism
may be caused by health problems, including: There have been
cases of secondary parkinsonism among IV drug users who injected
a substance called MPTP, which can be produced when making a
form of heroin. These cases are rare and have mostly affected
long-term drug users. The health care provider may be able to
diagnose secondary parkinsonism after performing a physical exam
and asking questions about your medical history and symptoms.
However, the symptoms may be difficult to assess, particularly
in the elderly. Examinati