If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, we understand how overwhelming it can be to cope. At the WMCHealth Division of Movement Disorders in New York, we can confirm your condition or rule out others with symptoms like those of Parkinson’s disease. While there’s no cure, our Parkinson’s disease team can help you effectively manage symptoms to improve your quality of life.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that causes parts of your brain to deteriorate. Parkinson’s disease is often referred to as a movement disorder because it affects your body’s ability to control movement.
Who Does Parkinson’s Disease Affect?
The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with age and can start as old as 60 or, in extremely rare cases, as young as 20. It is slightly more common in men than women. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease symptoms can vary. Symptoms are usually associated with loss of muscle control but may also include non-motor symptoms, especially in the early stages. Symptoms often start on one side of the body and stay worse on that side, even after both sides of the body eventually become affected.
Motor-related Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms can include:
- Slowed movements
- Trouble swallowing
- Stiff muscles
- Balance problems
- Stooped posture
- Speech changes
- Writing changes
- Resting tremors (rhythmic shaking, even when you’re not using your muscles)
- Loss of facial muscle control
Non-motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms can include:
- Depression
- Loss of smell
- Trouble focusing
- Sleep-related issues such as restless legs syndrome
- Autonomic nervous system problems such as constipation, urinary incontinence, or sexual dysfunction
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Doctors and researchers are working to better understand the causes of Parkinson’s disease. Some cases appear to be hereditary (inherited from one or both parents) while other cases can be traced back to specific genetic mutations (at least seven genes have been linked to Parkinson’s disease). Many believe that Parkinson’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (exposure to industrial pollution or toxins).
Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
To diagnose whether you have Parkinson’s disease, our expert neurologists rely heavily on:
- Reviewing your medical history and asking any follow-up questions
- Discussing your current symptoms
- Performing a physical exam
- Performing a neurological exam
Most diagnostic and lab tests are used to rule out other conditions.
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
While Parkinson’s disease isn’t curable, WMCHealth offers different treatment options to help you manage your symptoms. We develop a treatment plan just for you, based on your particular symptoms and rate of progression.
Medications
Medications can boost dopamine levels in your brain, which helps to smooth muscle movements. Medications can also help you manage non-motor symptoms.
Deep Brain Stimulation
If your medications are no longer effective in managing your muscle movement, surgery may be the next step in your treatment plan. For example, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure involving an implanted device that sends electrical pulses directly to areas of your brain.
Experimental Treatments
WMCHealth continually looks for other possible treatment options, including:
- Neuron repair
- Gene therapies
- Stem cell transplants