Parkinson's treatment
Parkinson's disease is an incurable neurological disease. The disease is progressive and multisystemic, which leads to functional disorders that worsen over time. Unfortunately, today there is no treatment that leads to a cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are a variety of treatments that allow a significant improvement in the symptoms of the disease.
Medication
Today, the medical treatment for Parkinson's patients is mainly through drugs, which help to increase the level of dopamine in the brain, mimic the activity of dopamine (agonist) or inhibit its breakdown in the brain. The drug treatment helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease such as involuntary tremors, walking and movement problems and more.
The drug treatment is usually given in pills to swallow, but there are also drugs that are taken through the nose or in subcutaneous treatment using a pump (especially in more advanced stages of the disease).
As the disease progresses, the effectiveness of the drugs may decrease and there is a need to adjust the doses.
Advanced Parkinson's treatments
DBS brain surgery
DBS surgery (short for Deep Brain Stimulation) is a surgical procedure during which an electrode is implanted in the subthalamic nucleus of the brain (usually 2 electrodes - one in each lobe) in order to reduce the involuntary movements that are part of the symptoms of the disease. In most cases, the surgery does not replace the drug treatment, but sometimes results in a reduction in the dose of the drugs.
This procedure is often offered to patients with an advanced state of Parkinson's and who do not respond well to drug treatment.
Focused ultrasound for the treatment of FUS tremor
Using ultrasound waves, targeted heating of the area in the brain responsible for tremors is performed. The treatment is intended for patients with advanced idiopathic Parkinson's disease, patients who suffer from movement complications and severe side effects due to the drug treatment.
Monitoring Parkinson's symptoms
The Holter device (STAT-ON) enables home monitoring of Parkinson's disease symptoms, using a waist belt on which the device is worn. During the week, the device continuously monitors the contestant's motor symptoms. After the end of the monitoring week, the system produces a comprehensive report, which reflects an objective picture of the condition of the disease, and can help improve and refine the treatment.
Read more about the Holter service for monitoring Parkinson's symptoms
Capacity building and conservation activities
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy activities and continuous and intense physical activity help to preserve the abilities and quality of life of the contestants, by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility and the ability to move as well as improving balance.
Treatments at a speech therapist help improve speech and swallowing problems.
Adhering to a healthy and balanced diet can also help in dealing with the symptoms of the disease. Adhering to a diet rich in dietary fiber and drinking plenty of water can help those suffering from constipation, which is also one of the symptoms some of the contestants suffer from.
In terms of mentally coping with the challenges of the disease, the Parkinson's Association offers guidance to new contenders and group support workshops, and also produced the Self-management assessment of the disease which can help to optimally deal with the disease in all its aspects and challenges.
Read more about rehabilitation and ability preservation activities
