Parkinson's disease affects thousands of Americans every year, and although there is currently no cure for it, there exist a variety of treatments that can help alleviate its debilitating symptoms. Your local experts of Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA, can help guide you or your loved one toward the best available course of action.
Disease and Symptoms
Dopamine is an organic chemical that helps transmit signals in the brain between its parts. This transmission is responsible for a myriad of complex reinforcement and reward functions, as well as motor control. Hence some of Parkinson's disease's most notable symptoms, as the disease is characterized by a decrease in dopamine levels. The reason for it is dying off of the cells in the brain that produce it.
The symptoms are gradual but worsen with time. Motor skills are impacted, from walking, and talking, and any and all movement, and are often accompanied by shaking while at rest. These is known as tremors.
But mental and behavioral changes are also common, affecting memory, sleep, and mood.
The early symptoms of the disease may appear years before the more noticeable motor skills problems even arise.
Parkinson's Disease Treatment in Winchester, VA
Important to treating the symptoms of the disease are lifestyle changes that include proper rest, exercise, and a balanced diet. Consult with your doctor to find out what's appropriate for your own specific case, or your loved one's.
Alongside these changes therapy also plays a key role in helping you feel and act like yourself again. These include physical and perhaps speech therapy.
A variety of medication treatments are available and understanding which ones will better suit your needs will be up to your doctor. Although most often the drugs prescribed will work to help stabilize your dopamine levels as well as manage your symptoms.
A well known surgical treatment employed in battling tremors is called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Through the use of implanted electrodes, your surgeon is able to send out pulses which can help reduce these symptoms.
Schedule an appointment today to find out much more, and how your Winchester, VA, professionals can help you. Call Winchester Neurological Consultants by dialing (540) 667-1828.