Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known by the acronym PSP, is a rare neurodegenerative disease, which causes the progressive death of neurons in certain areas of the brain, resulting in impaired motor and mental abilities.
It mainly affects men and people over the age of 60, and is characterized by causing various movement disorders, such as speech disturbances, inability to swallow, loss of eye movements, stiffness, falls, postural instability, as well as an image of dementia, with changes in memory, thinking and personality.
- Although there is no cure.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy can be treated with medications to relieve movement limitations.
- As well as antipsychotics or antidepressants.
- For example.
- In addition.
- Physical therapy.
- Speech therapy and occupational therapy are indicated to improve the quality of life of the patient.
Signs and symptoms that may be found in the person with progressive supranuclear palsy include:
All changes caused by progressive supranuclear palsy are similar to those of Parkinson’s disease, so these diseases can often be confused. Learn how to identify the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Thus, supranuclear palsy is one of the causes of “parkinsonism”, also present in several other degenerative brain diseases, such as Lewy body dementia, multistemic atrophy, Huntington’s disease or poisoning by certain drugs, for example.
Although the life expectancy of a person with supranuclear palsy varies from case to case, the disease is known to tend to worsen between 5 and 10 years after the onset of symptoms, increasing the risk of complications such as lung infections or skin scars.
Diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy is made by the neurologist, although it can be detected by other specialists, such as a geriatrician or psychiatrist, as signs and symptoms are confused with other age-degenerative diseases or psychiatric illnesses.
Your doctor should carefully evaluate the patient’s signs and symptoms, a physical exam, and order tests such as lab tests, a ct scan of the skull, or a brain MRI, which show signs of the disease and help rule out other possible causes.
Positron emission tomography, which is a nuclear radiology test, using a radioactive drug, capable of obtaining more specific images and highlighting changes in brain composition and function, find out how this test is going and when it is indicated.
Although no specific treatment can prevent or prevent disease progression, your doctor may recommend treatments that help control symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.
Medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as levodopa, carbidopa, amantadine or seleginine, for example, despite their low efficacy in these cases, may be helpful in relieving motor symptoms. In addition, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics can help treat mood swings. , anxiety and behavior.
Physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy are critical because they minimize the effects of the disease. Personalized physiotherapy treatment is able to correct postures, deformities and gear changes, delaying the need to use a wheelchair.
In addition, the reception and follow-up of family members is essential, because as the disease progresses, over the years, the patient may become more dependent on assistance for daily activities. See tips on how to care for a dependent.