Diagnosing Parkinson's<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere is no one test for diagnosing Parkinson's. Doctors often rely on medical history, a physical examination, and a neurological exam to conclude. They will also ask about family history and perform balance and coordination tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, doctors might order imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for any changes in the brain. They might also request a DAT scan, an MRI that looks at the dopamine transporter levels in the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another test that a doctor could order is called single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This test uses a special dye and a camera to take brain pictures. The dye helps to show how blood is flowing through the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last test a doctor could do is positron emission tomography (PET). This test uses a small amount of radioactive sugar solution injected into the bloodstream. The sugar will collect in areas of the brain that are working hard. A special camera is then used to take pictures of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parkinson's Disease Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parkinson's disease treatment varies depending on the individual and what symptoms they experience. No matter what, it will involve medication that helps control those tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement associated with this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several different types of medication might be prescribed by a doctor, such as Levodopa (L-DOPA), dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, and catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme inhibitor, selegiline, monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levodopa:<\/strong> This is the most common Parkinson's disease medication. It helps to replenish the dopamine levels in the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDopamine agonists:<\/strong> These drugs act like dopamine in the brain and help improve muscle movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMAO-B inhibitors:<\/strong> These Parkinson's disease medications help prevent the brain's breakdown of dopamine.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCOMT inhibitors:<\/strong> This class of Parkinson's medication helps prevent the breakdown of dopamine in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSelegiline:<\/strong> This Parkinson's disease medication helps to protect dopamine neurons from damage and slows the breakdown of dopamine in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther Parkinson's disease treatments include surgery, electrical stimulation,<\/strong> and deep brain stimulation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSurgery: <\/strong>Two main types of surgery are used to treat Parkinson's disease. The first is called ablative surgery and involves destroying a small area of the brain responsible for the tremors. The second type is called deep brain stimulation and involves implanting a small electrode in the brain that sends electrical impulses to help control the tremors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nElectrical Stimulation:<\/strong> This Parkinson's disease treatment involves using a small electrical current to stimulate the brain's areas responsible for movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDeep Brain Stimulation:<\/strong> This Parkinson's disease treatment involves implanting a small electrode in the brain that sends electrical impulses to help control the tremors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Parkinson's Disease Treatment Options - Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that primarily affects the ability to control movement and motor skills. Symptoms often start gradually, with trembling hands, stiffness, or slowing movement. Early stages of Parkinson's syndrome include showing little to no facial expressions, soft or slurred speech, and the inability to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":9632,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,19],"tags":[60],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9631"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9631"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9948,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9631\/revisions\/9948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaf.care\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}