Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a movement disorder that causes reduced mobility and unintended movements, such as shaking, tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It is Australia’s second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s dementia, affecting more than 80,000 people. The incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age, with more than one in 100 people over 60 having it.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and may change over time. They usually start gradually and worsen as the disease progresses. The main symptoms include:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
Age is the greatest risk factor for PD. The risk increases with age, although PD can affect younger people as well. Other risk factors include:
The diagnosis of PD can be complex since the symptoms can vary widely between individuals and mimic the signs of other conditions. Your neurologist may ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. He may also use imaging tests and other lab tests to help make a diagnosis.
There is no cure for PD, but treatments can help manage its symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Medications are the mainstay of treatment and include:
Some individuals may benefit from certain types of procedures that stimulate or destroy certain parts of the brain that control movements, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), pallidotomy, and thalamotomy.
When standard treatments fall short, advanced therapies should be considered. Currently available advanced therapies are:
Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, the right treatments and lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on your condition and help you manage your symptoms. Talk to our movement disorders specialist neurologist at Melbourne NeuroCare to find out what treatment and lifestyle options are best for you.
