What are the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease?

Top Doctors recently had the chance to catch up with leading consultant neurologist, Dr Mona Ghadiri-Sani, who, in this article below, sheds light on Parkinson’s disease.

What are the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease?

The symptoms that patients usually present with are associated with a one-sided tremor. This tremor can be experienced even while patients are resting. Other early signs of Parkinson’s disease include feeling slowed down (cognitive and physical), constipation, and a lack of smell.

Is Parkinson's disease curable?

We cannot cure Parkinson’s disease, but there are certain treatment options available. Many treatments that we can offer will not cure the disease, but will help symptoms related to the disease. The main aim of treatment is to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?

It is diagnosed based on the clinical features. We will examine them after taking a full medical history. There are four things that need to be present in order for an accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease: the unilateral rest tremor, the slowness of movement, the stiffness we feel when we examine the patient, and the loss of postural reflexes.

There is no specific blood test that diagnoses the disease, but there is a specific MRI scan that we use in order to look the brain. In the pathology of Parkinson’s disease, there is a lack of dopamine production and we look at this when we do the scan.

What are the treatment options for Parkinson's disease?

There are many options available. It starts with supportive care at home, such as mobility aids. Then we can provide tablets that replace the dopamine that the brain is not producing. We need to give this dopamine regularly each day.

As the condition progresses, the patient’s brain begins to produce less and less dopamine, so an extra dosage may be required. An infusion will be given throughout the day, which is like an insulin pump. A pump can be placed into the stomach in extreme cases, and sometimes, surgery will need to be considered.

Parkinson's disease vs essential tremor: what's the difference?

A Parkinson’s disease tremor is usually unilateral that is usually present at rest. It goes away when you are doing things, especially when using your hands. In the essential tremor, the tremor is both-sided, so both hands will suffer. From the beginning of an essential tremor, the tremor will be present while you are doing things, and unlike a Parkinson’s tremor, the tremor will go away while resting.

To book a consultation with Dr Mona Ghadiri-Sani, visit her Top Doctors profile today.