Parkinson's Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits
Parkinson’s Disease is a gradually-developing condition that affects the central nervous system and is brought on by abnormal brain function. Victims usually experience worsening symptoms that cause impairment in motor skills, speech, and movement. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease.
As a movement disorder that becomes progressively worse over time, Parkinson’s can cause a variety of debilitating symptoms that make simple activities such as walking difficult. Effects of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors
- Slowed motion (bradykinesia)
- Freezing of motion
- Rigid muscles
- Pain and stiffness
- Impaired posture
- Poor balance
- Loss of automatic movements (such as blinking or smiling)
- Fixed, staring expression
- Abnormal speech
- Word repetition
- Dementia
- Loss of memory
- Confusion, delusions, or hallucinations from Parkinson’s medications.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a shortage of dopamine, an important chemical messenger, in the brain. Integral to movement, dopamine helps produce coordination of the body’s muscles. Dopamine shortage results from brain damage to the cells that produce this chemical. Patients who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have suffered significant damage. On average, about 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells must be damage before the effects of the condition become apparent. Although no clear cause of the death of dopamine-producing brain cells has been identified, genetic mutations and environmental factors may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatments
The most effective way to minimize the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is to increase the brain’s dopamine levels through medications like levodopa. MAO B inhibitors can be used to prevent dopamine loss, and anticholinergic medication is often used to control tremors. Physical therapy can help patients with language difficulties, and surgery to stimulate brain activity has produced favorable results in many Parkinson’s patients.
To find out more about Parkinson’s disease, please visit the National Parkinson Foundation or WebMD’s Parkinson’s Disease Health Center. The attorneys at The Cochran Firm have helped many disabled Americans get the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they deserved. If your family has been deeply affected by Parkinson’s disease, let us help you apply for Social Security Disability benefits or start the appeal process. Please contact our disability attorney today to set up a free review of your situation.
The Cochran Firm handles Social Security disability claims for clients throughout the United States of America. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free Social Security disability consultation.
