If you or someone you know is living with Parkinson's disease, then you are well aware of the fact that the disease impacts every part of your life and can considerably limit your abilities. Unfortunately, there is not a cure for this particular disorder at this time, but the good news is that there are several different treatment options to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's and improve your overall quality of life. Keep reading to learn three potential treatment options that are available for those who are suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Medication
The reason that people have problems moving when they are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is that their dopamine levels are lowered. The majority of medications for this disease will focus on increasing the levels of dopamine in your body or at least substituting it so that individuals can gain their function back. There are some medications that are able to mimic the effects of the neurotransmitter, which will help with tremors or walking.
Surgery
Surgery on the brain tends to be reserved only for the individuals with the most severe cases of the disease. The main form of treatment is deep-brain stimulation. During this type of procedure, electrodes will be implanted in the brain and connected to a generator that is implanted in the chest. The brain will receive pulses that are sent through the electrodes that will help in the management of the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. However, it is important to note that surgery should not be considered a long-term solution and it will not stop the disease's progression.
Clinical Trials
When medications prove to be ineffective and surgery is not a solution for you, another option that is available is clinical trials. Clinical trials consist of cutting-edge treatments with the primary goal of moving toward a cure. Recent studies involve altering the disease in an effort to slow down or prevent the progression of the disease, enhancing medications so that motor systems can be regulated, and lessening the side effects experiencing with the disease.
If you or someone you know is living with Parkinson's disease, you are constantly hoping for a cure. Until a cure can be found, however, you do have options to manage the symptoms that are experienced on a daily basis. The aforementioned are a few of those options. As to which one is best for you, it will come down to your individual situation. If you would like more information on surgical treatments for Parkinson's disease, talk to a neurosurgeon.