Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis & Prognosis

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that can be difficult to diagnose. Its development is linked to dopamine-producing brain cells that have malfunctioned or died. Parkinson's is a progressive disease that can cause disability.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include shaking, loss of automatic movements such as smiling and swinging the arms, changes in speech such as slurring, stooped posture, imbalance, dementia and rigid muscles.

Diagnosis

• Parkinson's disease is diagnosed after a study of an individual's medical history and a neurological exam, which includes tests for walking, hand tasks and coordination.

Confirmation

• Diagnosis is confirmed if you have stronger tremors when resting, symptoms on just one side, respond to the Parkinson's drug levodopa, and have at least two primary symptoms of tremor, rigid muscles and slowed motion.

Treatment

• Parkinson's treatment includes medicines such as levodopa, anticholinergics and antivirals to control symptoms and mimic dopamine. Other treatment includes physical therapy to improve mobility and deep brain stimulation surgery for advanced cases.

Prognosis

• Parkinson's disease gets progressively worse, with some patients experiencing severe symptoms such as tremor. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease.

Complications

• Complications associated with Parkinson's disease include constipation, urinary retention or incontinence, depression, trouble sleeping, decreased sexual desire, and trouble chewing and swallowing.