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Treatment
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, but a variety of
medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Usually,
patients are given levodopa combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays
the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain.
Nerve cells can use levodopa to make dopamine and replenish the
dwindling supply in the patient’s brain. Although levodopa helps at
least three-quarters of parkinsonian cases, not all symptoms respond
equally to the drug. Other drugs that relieve specific symptoms are
available. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease does
not respond to drugs.
Only in the last 30 years have dramatic breakthroughs been made in the
management of Parkinson's disease. Current treatment can significantly
relieve people's symptoms and markedly improve their quality of life.
New medications and methods of delivering the medication have
recently been approved by the FDA so keep in contact with your
neurologist.
Treatment for Parkinson's disease may include any or all of the
following:
The first stage of treatment for
Parkinson's is an accurate diagnosis. This is tricky, as previously
noted, particularly early in the disorder when distinguishing
Parkinson's disease from other diseases with similar symptoms is
particularly difficult. It will be helpful to see a neurologist who is
experienced with what are called "movement disorders."
A movement disorder specialist has expertise in diagnosing and treating
Parkinson's disease and related disorders. A visit to a movement
disorder center may also be useful. Most such centers are connected with
a department of neurology at a medical school, although some are
freestanding clinics.
The centers have access to appropriate rehabilitation facilities and are
usually involved in research studies.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is based on the same technology used in
cardiac pacemakers. DBS delivers carefully controlled electrical
stimulation to precisely targeted areas of the brain affecting movement.
The electrical charge interrupts or overrides the brain’s faulty signals
and, in conjunction with medication, reduces the rigidity, tremors, slow
movement and other symptoms of advanced movement disorders.
DBS is both reversible and adjustable, making it a vast improvement over
other surgeries. As a patient’s disease progresses over time, the device
can be reprogrammed accordingly to minimize new or increasing symptoms.
The device can also be removed entirely to make way for newer
treatments, improved techniques or a medical cure.
DBS installation, activation and programming is a three-part procedure,
usually completed over the course of a month to six weeks. It carries no
more risk than any other surgical procedure. For many patients, the mere
placement of the electrodes is enough to produce immediate improvement.
Others may not notice an appreciable difference in symptoms for several
months.
In general, you may become a candidate for DBS if you:
* Suffer moderate to severe
symptoms
* Begin to have difficulty or side-effects with
medication, but are still responsive
* Have no indication of dementia
* Are in overall good health |
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