Description

Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disease that affects the gait, balance, eye movement and swallowing. The disease results from damage to the cells in the areas of the brain that control body movement, coordination, thinking, and other important functions. The progressive supranuclear palsy, also called Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome.

Progressive supranuclear palsy worsens over time and can lead to dangerous complications, such as pneumonia and difficulty swallowing. There is No cure for progressive supranuclear palsy, so treatment focuses on managing the symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy include:

  • A loss of balance when walking. A tendency to fall backwards can happen very early in the disease.
  • An inability to aim your eyes correctly. People with progressive supranuclear palsy may not be able to look down. Or they can experience blurring or double vision. Not be able to focus the eyes may cause some people to spill the food. May also appear uninterested in the conversation due to the lack of contact with the eyes.

Other symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy vary and can mimic those of Parkinson's disease and dementia. Symptoms get worse with time and may include:

  • Stiffness, especially in the neck, and clumsy movements.
  • The fall, especially falling backward.
  • Slow or slurred speech.
  • Difficulty swallowing, which may cause a choking.
  • Be sensitive to bright light.
  • Problems with sleep.
  • Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
  • Impulsive behavior, or laugh or cry without reason.
  • Problems with reasoning, problem solving and decision making.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • A surprised or scared, facial expression, giving rise to the rigidity of the facial muscles.
  • The dizziness.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care professional if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.

Causes

The cause of progressive supranuclear palsy is not known. Their symptoms are the result of cell damage in areas of the brain, especially in the areas that help to control the movements of the body and mind.

Researchers have found that the damaged brain cells of people with progressive supranuclear palsy have excess amounts of a protein called tau. Aggregates of tau are also found in other brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Rarely, progressive supranuclear palsy, occurs within a family. But a genetic link is not clear. Most people with progressive supranuclear palsy have not inherited the disease.

Risk factors

The only proven risk factor for progressive supranuclear palsy is the age. The condition usually affects people in their late 60's and 70's. It is virtually unheard of in people under the age of 40 years.

Complications

The complications of progressive supranuclear palsy, mainly as a result of a slow and difficult of muscle movements. These complications can include:

  • The fall, which could lead to head injuries, fractures, and other injuries.
  • Difficulty focusing the eyes, which can also lead to injuries.
  • Sleep problems, which can lead to a feeling of tiredness and excessive sleepiness during the day.
  • Not be able to look at the bright lights.
  • Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to choking or inhaling food or liquid into the airway, known as aspiration.
  • Pneumonia, which can be caused by aspiration. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in people with progressive supranuclear palsy.
  • The impulsive behavior. For example, standing up without waiting for assistance, which can lead to falls.

In order to avoid danger of suffocation, your health care professional may recommend a feeding tube. To avoid injury due to the fall, a walker or a wheelchair can be used.

Diagnosis

The progressive supranuclear palsy, it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Your healthcare provider may suspect that you have the supranuclear palsy, in place of Parkinson's disease if:

  • You do not have tremors.
  • They are having a lot of unexplained falls.
  • They have little, temporary or lack of response to Parkinson's disease medications.
  • Difficulty moving the eyes, particularly to the poor.

You may need an mri to know if you have shrinkage in specific regions of the brain associated with progressive supranuclear palsy. An mri can also help to exclude disorders that can mimic the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy as a stroke.

A positron emission tomography (PET) may also be recommended to see the first signs of changes in the brain that may not appear on an mri .

Treatment

Although there is no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy, are the treatments available to help relieve the symptoms of the disease. The options include:

  • Parkinson's disease medications, that increase the levels of a brain chemical involved in smooth, controlled movements of muscles. The efficacy of these drugs is limited and usually temporary, lasting about 2 to 3 years in most patients.
  • OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), which can be injected in small doses into the muscles around the eyes. Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract, which can improve the spasms of the eyelids.
  • Antidepressants. Some antidepressant medications can have a modest effect on symptoms such as impulsive behavior.
  • Eyeglasses with bifocal or prism lenses, which can help alleviate the problems with looking down. Prism lenses allow people with progressive supranuclear palsy to look down without moving his eyes down.
  • Speech and swallowing evaluations, to help you learn other ways to communicate and safe swallowing techniques.
  • Physical therapy and occupational therapy, to improve the balance. Facial exercises, speaking of keyboards, and gait and balance training can also help you with many of the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy.

The researchers are working to develop treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy, including therapies that can block the formation of the tau protein or help to destroy the protein tau.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To minimize the effects of progressive supranuclear palsy, you can take certain measures in the home:

  • Use eye drops several times a day to help relieve dryness of the eyes can happen as a result of problems with the flashing or persistent tearing.
  • Install handrails in the hallways and bathrooms, to help prevent falls.
  • The use of a walker that is weighted to help prevent falling backwards.
  • Remove small area rugs or other items that are hard to see without looking down.
  • Do not climb stairs.

Coping and support

Living with a chronic illness can be difficult. Some people may feel angry, depressed, or discouraged at times. The progressive supranuclear palsy, can cause changes in the brain that make you feel anxious or laugh or cry without reason. The progressive supranuclear palsy, it can also be frustrating as walking, talking and eating, become more and more difficult.

To manage the stress of living with progressive supranuclear palsy, consider these suggestions:

  • Maintain a strong support system of friends and family.
  • Contact a support group, for oneself or for family members.
  • Discuss your feelings and concerns about living with progressive supranuclear palsy with your health care professional or counselor.

For caregivers

Caring for someone with progressive supranuclear palsy can be physically demanding and emotionally. It is not easy to juggle the tasks that they try to adapt to the constant changes of mood and physical needs that accompany this condition. Remember that these states of mind and physical abilities may change from time to time and are not under the control of the person.

Preparing for your appointment

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the brain and nervous system (neurologist).

What you can do

  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements.
  • Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.
  • Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.
  • Ask a relative or friend to come with you to help you remember what the health care professional says.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • How does progressive supranuclear palsy usually progress?
  • What treatments are available, and what types of side effects can I expect?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • I limit my activities?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow for more time to go over points that you would like to address. You may ask:

  • Have you had problems with balance or walking?
  • Do you find it hard to see the elements below you, such as plate when you are eating?
  • Do you have trouble speaking or swallowing?
  • Have their movements felt stiff or unstable?
  • Have you experienced any worrying changes of mood?
  • When do you start to experience these symptoms? Have been continuous or occasional?
  • Nothing seems to improve or worsen these symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Progressive supranuclear palsy