Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder that impacts the nervous system. PD primarily impairs a patient’s motor skills, speech and facial expressions. The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates 50 to 60 thousand new cases are diagnosed each year, adding the average one million who live with PD and thousands of cases that go undetected. PD can have a dramatic impact on quality of life, as daily activities such as eating, drinking, grooming and writing become difficult if not impossible.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease begin slowly and worsen over time. Although the disease can’t be cured, some medicines and other therapies may be prescribed by a medical provider to help lessen the symptoms.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you can rely on our skilled team of providers at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Neurology to supply compassionate, high-quality care to help you manage treatment.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are subtle and occur gradually. As the disease develops, symptoms often begin on a single side of the body and then affect both sides. Primary symptoms of PD include:
- Tremors, often in the hands and legs
- Muscle rigidity and stiffness
- Slowed or difficult movement, also called Bradykinesia
- Poor balance or posture instability
- Slurred or soft speech
- Difficulty thinking, smiling and blinking
- Trouble walking or standing up
- Sleep problems or disorders
Parkinson’s disease symptoms can mirror those of other neurological disorders. Getting examined by a medical professional is important to receive the right diagnosis and care.
What causes PD?
The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is currently unknown. However, we do know what causes its symptoms. In patients with PD, the nerve cells in the brain known as neurons slowly break down or die. These failing neurons are what usually supply the brain with the messenger chemical dopamine and norepinephrine, these chemicals control a variety of the body’s functions, leading to the severe symptoms experienced by patients. While we don’t yet know what makes certain people become afflicted by PD, there are some factors that research indicates play a role.
Who’s at risk for PD?
While PD can afflict anyone, it does occur in some individuals more than others. Some of the risk factors include:
- Age
Parkinson’s disease affects one in 100 people over the age of 60. While it is more common in older people, people as young as 18 have been diagnosed with PD. - Family history
Having a family member who also suffers from PD may increase your likelihood of developing the disease. However, the risk is very small unless multiple family members have suffered from it. - Sex
Parkinson’s disease is typically more common in men than in women. - Chemical exposure
Repeated exposure to toxic herbicides and pesticides can slightly increase the risk for developing PD.
How is PD diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. To make a diagnosis, your neurologist will collect your medical history, review your symptoms, and perform a neurological and physical exam. Because the disease is degenerative, it can take time to diagnose. Your doctor may monitor your symptoms over time and order testing to rule out other conditions. Some of the common tests include:
- Blood testing
Your doctor may perform blood tests to help rule out conditions other than PD that may be causing your symptoms. - MRI or Pet scans
Imaging scans can also help determine if your symptoms are being caused by a different condition. - Genetic testing
Genetic testing can determine gene changes if there is a family history of PD.
Once other conditions are ruled out, your doctor may diagnose you with Parkinson’s disease.
How is Parkinson’s Disease treated?
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are medical and non-medical interventions that can help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Medications
Medications prescribed for patients with PD can often improve issues with walking, movement and tremors. These medicines work by supplementing the lost dopamine in the brain, allowing for the body to better regulate its movements. Symptoms often improve after beginning treatment with medication, but the benefits can lessen over time. Talk to your doctor about what medications would be most beneficial for your specific case.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation, also known as DBS, is a surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease involving the insertion of electrodes in the brain. This treatment option is best for patients who require high or frequent doses of dopamine and have experienced side effects from previous medications. DBS is minimally invasive and is often used to treat movement disorders. At NGPG Neuroscience, our expert neurosurgeons provide DBS treatment at locations across northeast Georgia.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may recommend that you see a physical therapist to assist you with strengthening and balancing exercises. Exercising with a routine created by a physical therapist may improve strength, walking and balance abilities.
Language Therapy
If your speech has been affected by Parkinson’s disease, your doctor may refer you to a speech therapist. Speech-language pathologists can help patients manage speech and voice disorders commonly associated with PD. Through therapy, patients may see improvement in articulation, loudness and clarity of their speech.
Choose NGPG for Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis & treatment
If you or a loved one are looking for diagnosis or treatment of Parkinson’s disease, you deser confidence in the care you receive. Treatments for neurological diseases are constantly improving, and our providers stay up to date while tailoring the perfect treatment plan for you. At NGPG our neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventional surgeons, neuropsychiatrists and other specialists work together to provide our patients with high-quality care and access to the latest advancements.
When it comes to diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s disease, you are not alone. Our mission at NGPG Neuroscience is to ensure that our clients have the treatment options they need to slow the progress of their disease, minimize symptoms and maintain a high quality of life. Visit one of our board-certified neuroscience providers to address your symptoms, get a diagnosis and find the best treatment plan to fit your needs.