Parkinson’s Disease and Paraquat:
Symptoms and Treatment
Paraquat is a toxic herbicide that can cause poisoning through ingestion, skin exposure, or inhalation. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies Paraquat as “restricted use,” meaning only licensed applicators may purchase the herbicide. While the EPA prohibits its use in residential settings, Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in commercial agriculture. Aside from its immediate toxicity, Paraquat is also linked to Parkinson’s Disease when used long-term by agricultural workers.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
It’s believed that breathing Paraquat vapors over time damage brain cells that produce dopamine. As dopamine levels decrease, it causes impaired brain activity, and the body begins to have issues with movement. Tremors and difficulty walking may develop. Other symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease include:
- Tremors,
- Slowed movements or bradykinesia,
- Rigid muscles,
- Impaired posture or balance,
- Loss of automatic movements,
- Speech changes, and
- Writing changes.
You may also face additional problems like:
- Thinking difficulties,
- Depression and emotional changes,
- Swallowing, chewing, and eating problems,
- Sleep issues,
- Bladder problems and constipation,
- Fatigue,
- Smelling dysfunction,
- Blood pressure changes, and
- Sexual dysfunction.
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
While there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, there are many promising treatments that can improve quality of life, including medications and surgical procedures.
- Medications
Promising medications for Parkinson’s Disease include:
- Carbidopa-levodopa,
- Inhaled carbidopa-levodopa,
- Carbidopa-levodopa infusion,
- Dopamine agonists,
- MAO B inhibitors,
- Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors,
- Anticholinergics
- Surgical Procedures
In some patients with advanced Parkinson’s Disease who have an unstable reaction to levodopa medications, a surgical procedure known as Deep Brain Stimulation may be useful. In DBS, a surgeon implants electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The surgeon then connects these electrodes to a generator implanted in your chest near your collarbone, sending electrical pulses to your brain. This treatment may reduce your Parkinson’s disease symptoms.Despite the dangers of Paraquat, its use is increasing in commercial agriculture. In part, this increase is happening because many crops developed resistance to another dangerous glyphosate, brand name Roundup.If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and have a history of paraquat use or exposure, contact the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-6376 or through our online form. Your initial consultation is free, and you never pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
