Readers in Houston, Texas may be interested in a recent survey published in the journal Neurology. A UCLA conducted survey showed that adults who suffered from brain injuries and were also exposed to the herbicide paraquat were three times more at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
There were 1,000 adults that participated in the survey. Of those adults, 357 of them had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a disorder that affects the central nervous system. Those diagnosed were almost twice as likely as those who were not to report having a brain injury that resulted in a loss of consciousness for over five minutes. The researchers then used a geographical tracking system to determine that those with the disease were also more likely to live near an area where the weed killer paraquat was used. This is an interesting correlation and view into Parkinson’s disease, it also demonstrates the numerous consequences and long-term effects of brain injuries. Brain and head injuries take place in many different scenarios and can even be caused by the negligence of a medical professional. In those cases, brain injuries are a result of oxygen deprivation. Symptoms can range anywhere from headaches to short-term memory loss to personality disorder. These symptoms can be permanent and may even worsen.
Medically related brain injuries can be caused by mistakes such as medication dosage errors, failure to diagnose a heart attack or stroke or inadequate monitoring of oxygen levels during surgery. These types of injuries can have a severe impact on a family’s emotions and finances. It is important to hold medical professionals accountable, and ensure that those injured due to their negligence receive the compensation they deserve.
Source: ABC News, “Head Injury, Herbicide, Linked to Parkinson’s Disease in Survey,” Lara Salahi, Nov. 13, 2012
