Understanding Parkinson’s Disease, Treatment

Parkinson’s disease accounts for 1-2 per cent of the Indian population. It is an age-related condition, it typically manifests around the age of 60, with a higher incidence in males. However, recently with more awareness, it is increasingly being recognised in younger adults and even children.
This neurodegenerative disorder affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain called substantia nigra, leading to a range of symptoms.
It’s an age-related condition, making part of your brain deteriorate causing slowed movements, tremors and balance problems.
These neurons play an important role in the control of movement and their loss causes slowed movement, tremors and balance problems.

At MGM Healthcare, our specialized team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists collaborate dynamically to treat and rehabilitate Parkinson’s disease patients. Together, we embark on a journey to personalised care for each individual.

Although typically described as a motor movement problem, Parkinson’s disease can affect other parts of the nervous system and the body, leading to what are called “Non-Motor Symptoms”. The commonly described symptoms are

Bradykinesia: A gradual reduction in movement speed and amplitude, manifesting as slowing of all voluntary activities.
Resting Tremors: Rhythmic shaking of muscles, especially at rest. This typically affects the hands.
Rigidity: Increased stiffness of muscles at rest. This presents tightness of limbs or neck accompanied with pain.
Unstable Posture or Gait: Difficulty maintaining balance and steady walking with worsening accompanied while turning. With time this can progress to “freezing” of gait, where a patient gets stuck while walking.
Facial Expression Changes: Reduced blinking, drooling, and mask-like facial expression, leading to a staring expression.

Gastrointestinal: Constipation is one of the earliest symptoms and can predate motor problems
Urinary: Over time patients can develop incontinence with increased urgency of voiding
Mood: Anxiety and depression are present in many patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Sleep: Patients develop sleep issues early, with fragmentation of sleep and a tendency to wake up early being the most common. The characteristic issue noted in Parkinson’s disease is known as REM sleep behavioural disorder, where the patients can act out their dreams.
Pain: Pain is a common symptom and can vary with the time of day and medication. Occasionally it can be severe and intractable.
Cognition: After 5-10 years of Parkinson’s disease, patients are known to develop difficulties with planning, execution and short-term memory
Psychiatric: Patients can develop visual hallucinations over time, especially with excessive medication

Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed clinically and is confirmed by DAT/ TroDAT Nuclear scans. Other tests are done to rule out other causes of similar symptoms:
Blood Tests
Cerebro Spinal Fluid testing
Genetic testing
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

There are multiple treatment modalities to manage a patient with Parkinson’s Disease. While there is no cure available, research is ongoing all over the world to find the same.

Lifestyle management, with reduced alcohol intake, reduced carbohydrate intake, increase in green leafy vegetables in the diet, regular exercise and improved sleep hygiene have all been shown to reduce disease progression.

There are multiple oral and injectable medications available for Parkinson’s disease. All of these aim to improve the symptoms and need to be taken regularly. With time, patients may develop newer symptoms, such as fluctuating slowness and tremors, excessive movements, called dyskinesias, etc. These are signs of advanced disease and need medication modification by a movement disorder specialist.

Deep Brain Stimulation – This is a proven surgical intervention, which has been shown to improve the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease. This can be offered to patients with advanced disease, where the benefit from medications is limited. Here two small electrodes are implanted in the brain and current is passed through them to control the abnormal circuits causing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Despite the challenges, Parkinson’s is not the end of the road. With accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, individuals can lead improved lives. MGM Healthcare houses a specialized centre called Advanced Movement Disorder Clinic dedicated to treating all kinds of movement disorders including Parkinson’s Disease, offering personalized consultations for those seeking guidance.
Call us at 044-4524 2407 for a personalised consultation
We are here to support you in your journey towards better health.