Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is most widely recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of aging and the most common movement disorder. It specifically targets the central nervous system. A few of the onset symptoms (mostly movement-related) individuals will experience as the disease progresses include: shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking. The advanced stages of the condition is where cognitive and behavioral issues such as dementia, for example, begin to arise. Problems with sleep as well as emotions are also prevalent.
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Diagnosing & Personalized Treatments
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Diagnose

At CHRISTUS Health, there are four primary motor symptoms we look for to diagnose a patient with Parkinson’s disease:

  • Tremor
  • Rigidity
  • Slowness of movement
  • Postural instability

Patients can also experience psychiatric disturbances that effect cognition, mood, behavior, and thought, which impair other body functions. Results of this include: sleep and daytime drowsiness, disturbances in REM sleep, insomnia, low blood pressure upon standing, oily skin, excessive sweating, urinary incontinence, and altered function of reproductive organs.

Parkinson’s disease is considered a non-genetic disorder. Oddly enough, around 15 percent of individuals with the disease have a first-degree relative who has the disease. There is no cure, but medications, surgery, and management can provide relief from the symptoms.

Individualized Treatment Plans

  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Prescription Drug Treatment
  • Psychiatric and Neuropsychology services
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
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