Understanding Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, medication can provide relief from many of the symptoms. To decide on the best treatment, the healthcare provider will need to know how much the symptoms are affecting the person's life. It may also take some trial and error to find the best medication and the right dose. People with Parkinson's disease may have to take several medications to control their symptoms.

Most medications used to treat Parkinson's disease either mimic the effect of dopamine, increase dopamine levels, or extend the action of dopamine in the brain.

Healthcare providers strive to get the best results for their patients while trying to limit the side effects of the medications. It is important to note that the medications used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease cannot stop the disease from progressing over time. But they may help relieve the symptoms and help a person with Parkinson's disease to carry on daily activities.

In patients who do not respond well to medication, brain surgery is sometimes used during the later stages of Parkinson's disease.

One new surgical procedure that doctors are using to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease is deep brain stimulation. Researchers are also studying the effects of transplanting nerve cells into the brain to produce dopamine.

In the past, experts thought that vitamin E might help delay or prevent Parkinson's disease. Studies have not been able to prove that vitamin E has any protective benefit for Parkinson's disease.

Exercise can be helpful. Although it will not stop the disease from progressing, it can improve muscle strength, balance, bowel function, and bone strength. That, in turn, can help a person with Parkinson's disease feel better, stay in shape, and keep up with as many daily activities as possible.

The purpose of treating Parkinson's disease is to reduce the effect of symptoms on a person's daily life. Current treatment neither cures Parkinson's disease nor stops it from progressing. Each person responds differently to treatment. The patient, family, and healthcare provider should work together to find the treatment plan that works best.

Without treatment, a person with Parkinson's disease will most likely find that the symptoms make it very hard to perform daily activities. Parkinson's disease symptoms, such as shaking and stiffness, may also cause discomfort. The risk of injury from falls may increase, and swallowing may become more difficult.