Parkinsons Disease is a topic I can really help you with. I have worked with patients and caregivers who have had to manage this disease for many years. It is a challenge. The good news is that there are many treatments available for Parkinsons Disease and you need to take advantage of them. We'll be reviewing some of that information this month.
Let’s start with a brief discussion of what Parkinsons Disease is and what it isn’t.
Parkinsons Disease is a neurological disorder where the brain has had a loss of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that supports movement, balance and influences a number of additional bodily functions and functional behaviors that we depend on. The problem with dopamine is that when our brain loses it, it is not regenerated. We can go along for a number of years, while the dopamine is not working and the cells are dying off, without noticing much of a change in our ability to function. It is believed that when the dopamine is approximately 70%-80% gone, people start to experience problems with a number of things. Balance, coordination, energy, speed of movement, are some of the more noticeable problem areas.
One of the first sensory changes that a person may experience, when Parkinsons Disease is evolving, is the loss of the sense of smell. There are “smell” tests that many neurologists have patients complete in their office, when a person is recognizing changes in their ability to function. If the olfactory (smell) capability is diminished, other clinical tests may be done. But, one of the most frustrating things people go through, when they are early in their diagnosis, is learning that there are no definitive objective tests that can be done to certify that a person has Parkinsons Disease. There are scans that can be done of the brain to rule out other potential problems, like a brain tumor, but the best way to manage Parkinsons Disease early on is to get educated about the condition, and learn not to be afraid of the diagnosis.
With the proper education and treatment you can get in “front” of this disease and control it, before you feel like it is controlling you. You need to start out with the right type of doctor. If your primary care physician is the doctor that first brings the thought of you having Parkinsons to your attention, it is time to see a specialist.
It is not wise to start taking medication for Parkinsons Disease, prescribed by your primary care physician, without investigating your clinical symptoms thoroughly. Some primary care physicians may think a person with a tremor, may have Parkinsons Disease. Because of the tremor, they may prescribe Carbidopa/Levodopa and tell you to “try it.” Some patients have told me that their primary care physician did that, and also said ”if this medication helps you, then you have Parkinsons Disease.” That is an over simplification of the condition.
Best medical care should be received by a neurologist that specializes in Movement Disorders. Sometimes it requires some “doctor shopping,” to find the doctor that works best with you. There are a number of medications available to treat Parkinsons Disease, and we will discuss the various drugs throughout the month. If you have questions, please submit them through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will answer the questions in this blog. Keep your chin up and your spirits high…because you and your caregiver can improve your situation. Believe it! “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally
