A disease that becomes progressively worse, resulting from deterioration or impairment of a body process or system. Typically, treatment can delay but not halt the progression of a degenerative condition. The most common degenerative condition is arthritis. Many degenerative conditions cause decreasing functional abilities that may progress to a state of disability or debilitation, but few are themselves fatal. Degenerative conditions are more common with age. As a degenerative condition of the nervous system, Parkinson’s disease belongs to the subclassification of neurodegenerative disorders.
Some degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are autoimmune disorders in which the body’s immune system “attacks” a particular structure or organ system. Most degenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, appear to emerge as the convergence of various genetic and environmental factors with symptoms that typically surge and recede as the condition progresses. Generally, treatment requires ongoing adjustment, in part because the body seems to develop a resistance to the actions of particular therapies (especially drugs) and in part because deterioration continues. dopamine agonists, for example, Levodopa, only work as monotherapy for a few years before the most potent treatment for Parkinson’s disease is required. in turn, levodopa typically works very well only for a few years before its potency in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s begins to wane and motor fluctuations develop.
