Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatment Advancements

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an 81% increase in cases of Parkinson’s disease from 2000 to 2019. Around 5.8 million people worldwide are affected by PD. While tremors, shaking, and slow movements are commonly linked with Parkinson’s, these symptoms only scratch the surface. Nonetheless, ongoing research has led to the development of treatment options aimed at enabling individuals. In this blog post, we will delve into the process of diagnosing it, debunk misconceptions surrounding its onset, and explore the realm of Parkinson’s stem cell treatment in India.

Fact checking Parkinson’s disease symptoms and diagnosis

If you take your loved one to the doctor for a diagnosis of the condition, you will see that they will write a long list of tests. Even after those lists, the doctor will ask you several questions about the patient’s medical history, followed by a very careful and meticulous review of the symptoms. After all this, a neurological and physical exam are done. This helps draw a complete picture for Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

Even after this many tests and time spent with the doctor, they will send you for a DaTscan to check if your brain regions are producing sufficient dopamine. Once they get a clear picture, they will discuss the results with you. The process is a time consuming one and can take anywhere from one week to a month.

Surprising, correct? Well, it takes so much time because the doctor wants to ensure that it is not another condition. Doctors take this much time to ensure that there is no other condition that is manifesting similar symptoms as Parkisnon’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Contrary to popular belief, Parkinson’s disease symptoms are more varied than you might expect. When we say signs and symptoms for PD, the first thing that comes to mind is the presence of tremors, stiffness, and slow movements. Correct? But did you know that all these symptoms fall under the category of motor symptoms? This is another classification of non-motor symptoms that is usually overlooked. Here we provide a list of both of these types of Parkinson’s disease symptoms:

The motor symptoms include:

• Tremors
• Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
• Muscle Rigidity
• Postural Instability
• Frequent falls
• Dizziness
• Dystonia and muscle cramps

The non-motor symptoms include:

• Memory and thinking problems
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression
• Eye problem
• Speech and communication problems
• Mouth and dental issues
• Eating and swallowing control problems
• Low blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Difficulty sleeping

As we just saw, the list of non-motor symptoms is quite extensive and includes a wide range of issues that can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. This provides us with the perspective that the patient is likely experiencing a variety of challenges beyond just motor symptoms. Because of these seemingly unrelated symptoms, doctors can not easily make a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. So, what are the treatment options available to you when your loved one is suffering from the condition? That is what we will discuss in the next section.

Parkinson’s treatment advancements

We would like to emphasize before we go ahead that PD cannot be cured. However, doctors have found ways to effectively manage it. They might prescribe medications or surgery or suggest the use of regenerative medicine. Let’s look at each one of them briefly:

• Medications: There is one medicine, “LEVODOPA,” that acts as a precursor to increase the dopamine levels in the brain. As PD keeps on progressing, you might find that the medication might be less effective, but it is all because of the “off periods” of the medication that can be managed with a combination of dose changes and combinations with other medications. Overall, medicine provides significant improvement in your Parkinson’s disease symptoms after beginning the treatment.
• Surgery: This option of treatment is reserved for people who are experiencing severe symptoms. Meaning, they see that there is continuous, uncontrollable shaking in their hands, and the medication is not able to help alleviate these symptoms. In these kinds of cases, doctors might suggest the use of DBS, or deep brain stimulation devices. In this process, they insert electrodes that are wirelessly controlled to provide artificial stimulation to the brain. This means that your brain will be able to pick up signals, even with a low dopamine level, and help alleviate the symptoms.
• Regenerative medicine: In this type of medication, the doctor tries to fight the underlying cause of the PD. To achieve this, Parkinson’s stem cell treatment stands out as an area of interest. Stem cells have the ability to transform into cell types, such as the dopamine-producing neurons that are crucial in PD. This targeted approach offers patients hope for renewed mobility and confidence. The procedure involves implanting stem cells into the brain, where they can mature into dopamine-producing neurons. Two main types of stem cells are utilized for this purpose: adult mesenchymal stem cells sourced from neural stem cells. When guided by environmental signals in the brain, these cells have the capacity to develop into neurons. This could lead to enhanced dopamine production levels, potentially restoring the balance of dopamine in the brain and alleviating PD symptoms while also slowing down disease progression.

Mr. Singh overcame the struggles of Parkinson’s Disease

Getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can have an impact on an individual’s life. It doesn’t just affect them. It also places a burden on their family and friends. Mr. Singh’s experience with Parkinson’s started back in 2016, when he was given the diagnosis. He used to be full of energy and vitality. Now he has to cope with tremors, stiffness, and a visible reduction in his mobility.

Like others in similar situations, Mr. Singh and his family were determined to support him in improving his quality of life. After exploring treatment possibilities, they came to know what Parkinson’s stem cell treatment could do. They decided to take a leap of faith and undergo this therapy. The outcomes were truly impressive! Mr. Singh saw a decrease in tremors and an improvement in his motor skills. The therapy not only brought relief, but also lifted his spirits, easing the emotional burden he was feeling.

Encouraged by these results, the family planned for another round of Parkinson’s stem cell treatment. Despite facing challenges due to COVID-19, they persisted in their efforts. Eventually, Mr. Singh received a second dose of stem cells. His wife expressed her appreciation for the life-changing effects of the treatment, mentioning,

“We were so thrilled with the outcome of his therapy session that we decided to opt for another round. I believe more people should consider this treatment option. Witnessing the results, we have made a decision to provide stem cell therapy for my husband annually.”

Mr. Singh’s journey serves as a testament to what Parkinson’s stem cell treatment holds. His story shows how stem cell therapy can help manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Like Mr. Singh there are many Parkinson’s stem cell treatment success stories which inspires.

For Query, Ask The Expert!

Disclaimer: Stem cell treatment results and effectiveness may vary from individual to individual. Although it has been deemed safe, it is an experimental treatment option, and its effectiveness is still under investigation.

Conclusion

The quest to comprehend and treat PD effectively is intricate and ongoing. By dispelling misconceptions surrounding the diagnosis and symptoms of Parkinson’s, we can promote an understanding of the condition, prompting detection and care. Progress in research in the area of Parkinson’s stem cell treatment offers hope for a future where the illness can be managed efficiently, potentially slowing or stopping its progression. Looking ahead, it is crucial to stay updated on research advancements.