Table of Contents
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Treatment centers on the administration of medications which relieve the symptoms.
Physical treatment
Physical therapy can be extremely helpful for people with Parkinson's disease, both in the early stages and later, as the disease progresses. It can help improve mobility, range of motion and muscle tone. Although specific exercises can't stop the progress of the disease, improving muscle strength can help you feel more confident and capable.
Medications
Levodopa
Levodopa is a medication that has been considered the gold standard drug therapy for Parkinson's disease. It is a natural substance found in plants and animals. It's a precursor to dopamine that, when given to people with Parkinson’s is converted into dopamine.
Treatment with dopamine isn't possible, because it doesn't cross the body's blood-brain barrier.
Dopamine agonists
These medications mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain and cause neurons to react as though sufficient amounts of dopamine were present.
Anticholinergics
These drugs were the main treatment for Parkinson's disease before the Levodopa was found! They help control tremor in the early stages of the disease.
Surgery
Thalamotomy
It involves the destruction of small amounts of tissue in the thalamus
Pallidotomy
During this procedure, an electric current is used to destroy a small amount of tissue in the pallidum (globus pallidus), a part of the brain responsible for many symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Deep brain stimulation
Deep brain stimulation consists of a pacemaker which transmits electric impulses through a wire to tiny electrodes inserted deep within the brain.