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
Subcutaneous pump - ProDuodopa - ProDuodopa
The first treatment of its kind in the world, which allows for 24-hour subcutaneous infusion of levodopa (a dopamine derivative that is considered the flagship treatment for Parkinson's), without the need for surgery. This treatment is intended for advanced Parkinson's patients, for whom oral medication (by swallowing) does not provide a satisfactory response. The treatment has been proven effective and safe, and was approved in the health basket in January 2023.
Read more about treatment using a subcutaneous pump – Produodepa
Duodopa - Duodopa
Duodopa is a gel-form preparation containing dopa + carbidopa, identical in composition to Dupixent/Sinemet but different in the way it is administered to the patient. The treatment method is by direct infusion into the patient's intestine. The substance itself is contained in a plastic container (cassette) that connects to a portable pump and from there to a tube that reaches directly into the small intestine. Each cassette contains a sufficient amount for daily treatment and weighs low, about 450 grams (the batteries and the cassette).
Apo-go pump
The active ingredient is apomorphine, which acts by mimicking the activity of dopamine in the brain. Apo-Go is administered subcutaneously and its absorption is independent of the function of the digestive system, therefore, treatment with it allows rapid relief from symptoms. Apo-Go is available in two forms of administration that are suitable for different stages of Parkinson's disease: a pen-shaped syringe and a pump.
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 participants, by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility and movement ability, and improving balance. The Parkinson's Association in Israel offers a wide range of activities aimed at assisting the participants in this, such as: Directions plan, Sports and leisure activities inBranches Across the country and online as part of Parquet, Ping-pong classes across the country, Rehabilitation activities at subsidized cost by a wide variety of bodies and institutions within the framework Communities on the Move – Benefits Club And more.
Treatments with a speech therapist help improve speech and swallowing problems, while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can help deal with symptoms such as constipation.
In terms of mentally coping with the challenges of the disease, the Parkinson's Association offers: Guidance for new contestants וSupport workshops group, 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