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Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells inside the brain. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, next to Alzheimer’s disease. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that helps brain cells to communicate with one another to control movement and coordination. When dopamine is missing from the brain the signals that tell our body how to move is lost.
What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
The 4 Cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are known as TRAP.
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T- Tremor (shaking)
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R-Rigidity (stiffness of body)
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A-Akinesia (slowness of activity)
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P- Postural Instability (recurrent falls)
Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that we often see in patients include:
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Constipation
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Urinary urgency/frequency
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Anosmia
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Dream enactment
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Sexual dysfunction
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Depression/ anxiety
NON-motor symptoms can precede even a decade before the diagnosis of PD. These are the most troublesome symptoms of PD.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
PD is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In this context, a genetic variation will not necessarily be the cause of PD but would rather influence a person’s susceptibility to environmental factors. The onset of Parkinson’s disease symptoms before the age of 40 years could be due to genetic factors.
According to best neurologist in Sarjapur Road, several factors associated with increased risk of PD are as follows:
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Family history of PD.
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Severe head trauma
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Previous encephalitis (brain fever)
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Toxin exposure – pesticides
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Rural living
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Drinking well water
How to Diagnose PD?
There is no single blood test or marker to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, it is diagnosed by proper history and clinical examination. However, few blood tests are done to rule out other diseases that can mimic Parkinson’s disease. Functional neuroimaging like F-DOPA PET can be used to measure the level of dopamine in the brain.
What are the Treatment Options for Parkinson’s Disease?
Once a patient is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he/she will be put on one or more treatment therapies suggested by doctors. These may include:
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Medications
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Physical and occupational therapies
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Speech therapy
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Surgical therapy
Now, let’s understand when we actually need to start treatment for PD.
When the so-called motor symptoms start interfering with the day-to-day activities of a patient we need to start treatment. All medications for Parkinson’s disease aim to improve the level of dopamine in the brain.
In Early stages of parkinson’s disease with initiation of medicines there will be good to excellent symptomatic response in nearly all patients ( honeymoon phase ). This response will be stable for about 5-10 years. But in later stages the requirement of drugs will increases due to degeneration of dopaminergic cells, so we have to increase the dose of medications. In later stages patients can have problems with balance, memory, speech and swallowing. So a multidisciplinary approach is must in Parkinson’s disease.
Role of Surgeryin PD
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that uses implanted electrodes and electrical stimulation to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease. It is almost similar to a cardiac pacemaker.
However, it is important to understand that DBS is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, nor does it arrest the progression of Parkinson’s disease. An adequate trial of at least 5 years with Parkinson’s disease medications like L-DOPA is required before undergoing DBS.
So, to conclude with effective treatment and supportive therapies at the best neurology hospital in Sarjapur road, we can definitely improve the quality of life of patients living with Parkinson’s disease.
The medical care team of Manipal Hospitals will walk with you throughout your journey with Parkinson’s disease and help you relieve your symptoms, thereby allowing you to lead a normal life.
