Neuroscience
Parkinson’s Disease
Overview
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Additional Resources
Parkinson’s Disease Overview
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological
disorder caused by a degeneration in parts of the brain that
control voluntary and involuntary movement. The cause of Parkinson’s
disease is still under investigation. Current evidence points
to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
Symptoms The four primary
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:
- Tremor
- Slowness of movement
- Stiffness and rigidity
- Balance and gait problems
Patients may experience a combination of symptoms, but not
necessarily all of the above.
Secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Depression
- Loss of short-term memory, impaired organizational abilities
- Confusion, hallucinations
- Pain or sensory problems
- Swallowing difficulty
- Loss of voice volume
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Bladder and sexual difficulty
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Diagnostic steps
Symptoms of Parkinson’s may be difficult to assess.
It is important to see a physician who specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s. A specialist
will be able to diagnose Parkinson’s disease based on
an individual’s symptoms, along with a physical examination.
Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is clinical, since
no lab tests are currently available which provide a conclusive
diagnosis. Neurologists look for a combination of symptoms
to provide a clinical diagnosis. Effective treatment must
be individually formulated for each Parkinson’s patient.
Tests are not usually specific for Parkinson’s, but
they may be required to rule out other disorders that cause
similar symptoms.
Parkinson’s action plan
Parkinson’s patients should:
- Exercise – physically and mentally
- Educate oneself about Parkinson’s disease and ask
questions of the neurologist
- Become involved in support group activities
- Use physical, occupational, speech or other therapies
when appropriate
- Participate in a coordinated drug treatment program
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Treatment
There is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease. Treatment
is aimed at controlling the symptoms. Treatment must be tailored
to the individual.
Medications control symptoms primarily by increasing the
levels of dopamine in the brain. The type of medication, the
dose, and the amount of time between doses, or the combination
of medications used, may need to be adjusted as symptoms change.
Many of the medications can cause severe side effects, so
monitoring and follow-up by the health care provider is important.
As surgical techniques have improved, surgery is now an option
for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in selected
patients.
Current surgical treatment consists of:
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in the subthalmic nuclei
or globus pallidus
With Parkinson’s, good general nutrition and health
are important. Exercise, rest and the avoidance of stress
are highly recommended.
Learn
about the Hauenstein Parkinson’s Center at Saint Mary’s
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Additional Resources:
Saint Mary's Health Care recognizes that
people seek medical information on a variety of topics for
a variety of reasons. Toward that end, Saint Mary's Health
Care has collected a wide variety of health information resources
on many health-related issues. In providing these links, however,
Saint Mary's Health Care does not condone or support all practices
covered in these sites. As a Catholic health care organization,
Saint Mary's Health Care acts in accordance with the Catholic
tradition.
Please note, these links are provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is not intended to be a substitute
for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of
a qualified health care provider before starting any new treatment
or if you have questions regarding your medical condition.
Parkinson’s Association
of West Michigan
National Parkinson’s
Foundation
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
Michael J. Fox Foundation
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