Although there is no specific test for Parkinson’s disease, recent advances in a diagnostic imaging technique may help doctors identify high risk patients even before the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear. It may also serve as a tool to monitor disease progression. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease where there is a gradual progressive loss of dopamine nerve cells (dopaminergic neurons) in the brain. Currently Parkinson’s disease is identified by a clinical diagnosis where the medical history and clinical presentation allows a doctor to reach the diagnosis. However, the new diagnostic technique may allow for conclusive diagnosis and even help prevent misdiagnosis of the disease.

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Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Since Parkinson’s disease is brought on due to the lack of Dopamine in the brain much of the treatment for the disease relies on ways of replacing, stimulating and substitution of this chemical. Although some very effective drugs have been developed in the treatment of Parkinson’s they do however have their disadvantages, therefore the treatment of the disease doesn’t just rely on medication but on several measures combined together as a package. Some of which include:.

• Exercise.
• Changes in diet.
• General activity.
• Attitude towards the disease.
• Medication.

As Parkinson’s is a chronic disease which progresses the overall aim of the treatment is to maintain the sufferer’s quality of life for as long as possible and not to cure the disease itself. The type of treatment available for you depends on certain factors such as: (more…)

Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disease which affects the control of muscles and affects the movement, speech and posture. It is a degenerative disease of the body’s central nervous system and one which is often characterised by hand tremor, slow physical movement and rigidity of the muscles.

The excessive muscle contraction that is foremost in Parkinson’s disease is caused by insufficient formation of Dopamine, which is a chemical which is naturally produced in our body. While the majority of Parkinson’s disease has no known cause it can sometimes be caused through head trauma, toxicity, genes and other medical disorders. (more…)