Early consultation with a neurologist can go a long way in mitigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease 

Dr (Lt Gen) CS Narayanan, HOD, Department of Neurology, Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka discusses how Parkinson’s disease varies from person to person and how it can be managed with proper medication and following a healthy lifestyle

Early consultation with a neurologist can go a long way in mitigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease which is a chronic neurological illness caused by damage to brain cells that produce a chemical messenger called dopamine. Early detection and timely medical intervention are the keys to the effective management of the disease. 

The effects and severity of Parkinson’s disease vary person to person from various advanced age groups and for those, who led a very active disease or distress free so far, it comes as trauma. When Parkinson’s hit persons may develop an unfamiliar pain and stiffness in the right shoulder and notice that they are taking longer than usual to shave, wear their clothes and get ready for work. Over time they may develop a tremor in their hands. It is evident that a general sense of fatigue overpowers the patients.

Sometimes people feel depressed also. These are clear signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s and at this point in time, people should consult a neurologist for the management of the disease as there is no cure for it as such.

The neurologists normally see all the symptoms and decide about the stage. After a thorough examination, experts point out whether it is an early-stage case or a severe one. While there are no conclusive tests, we need to depend on the combination of symptoms and findings on physical examination. 

Combating Parkinson’s is not difficult and patients, with proper consultation, come to terms with it. Taking prescribed medicine regularly along with a regimen of exercise and also modified lifestyle help a lot in managing the disease. 

While Parkinson’s disease is more common in those who are above 50 years of age, it can also sometimes affect younger persons. It may also be inherited sometimes. Typically people with Parkinson’s disease experience tremor, slowness of movements, limb rigidity, along with gait and balance problems. These are called motor symptoms. Patients may also have several non-motor symptoms such as mood disorders, difficulty in planning and organising, sleep difficulty, constipation, lack of ability to smell, and sexual dysfunction. The severity of symptoms and pace of progression of symptoms often varies from one person to another.

A combination of medications, some designed to replenish the amount of dopamine in the brain and others to arrest the progression of the disease are often prescribed. They are very effective in the early stages but the neurologist may adjust the doses and introduce new drugs as the disease progresses. If the medications become less effective over time or if side-effects become bothersome, advanced approaches to management such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and surgery are considered. With DBS, electrodes are surgically implanted in the brain. They send electrical impulses to stimulate the parts of the brain that control movement. Evidence suggests that patients with Parkinson’s disease also benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to care. 

Parkinson’s disease can be managed with proper attention and medical consultation. It is proven that early consultation and close interaction with a neurologist thereafter can go a long way in mitigating the effects of Parkinson’s disease. By knowing the nature of the disease and the various effective ways of managing it, patients with Parkinson’s disease can pursue their work, hobbies, and go on to lead a life full of joy.