Parkinson Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. It is the second most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer's. It is characterized by trembling, difficulty in walking, and muscle rigidity that can cause loss of balance, often leading to falls. The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is not known and there is still no cure. However, with the right medications and lifestyle changes, symptoms can be improved and managed. The most common medical management is the use of medication, such as carbidopa-levodopa (or Sinemet), to improve dopamine levels in the brain. Other treatments may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, as well as deep brain stimulation. The main symptoms associated with PD are tremors, rigid muscles, slow movements, impaired balance, and poor coordination. These can lead to difficulty with everyday activities such as writing or tying one’s shoe laces. There is also a non-motor form of PD called atypical Parkinsonism, which is less common and is generally characterized by altered gait, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, drooling, urinary incontinence, and dementia. Currently, there is no reliable test to diagnose PD, so a diagnosis usually requires a combination of medical history, physical and neurological examinations, laboratory tests, and brain scans. Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease is a difficult process, but with the right treatments and lifestyle changes, symptoms can be managed and improved.