| Q. What is Parkinson's disease? |
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A. Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder originating in the central nervous system. In your brain, certain cells make a chemical called dopamine, which carries messages between different areas of your brain. Some of the areas tell the body how and when to move.
When these brain cells are damaged or lost, there is no longer enough dopamine to carry the messages. Your movement becomes difficult, resulting in symptoms (also known as "motor symptoms") that are diagnosed as PD.
Parkinson's disease is a condition for which currently there is no cure. Symptoms advance from early to moderate to advanced stages. As PD progresses, a dose of medication that was effective may "wear off" before the next scheduled dose, and symptoms may reemerge. As symptoms progress, your treatment may need to be modified. The symptoms of PD and the speed at which it changes are different for each person.
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| Q. What causes Parkinson's disease? |
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A. The cause of PD is unknown, but symptoms typically follow the loss of dopamine-producing cells in a certain area of the brain. Different theories about what causes the loss of dopamine-producing cells include:
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- Heredity — although PD is not a hereditary disease, certain abnormal genes appear in the families of some people with PD
- Environmental or external factors — some believe that pollutants, eg, chemicals or pesticides, may be risk factors for PD
- A combination of the two — the most widely held theory about why PD develops in some people involves exposure to environmental factors and predisposing genetic factors
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| Q. What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease? |
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A. PD symptoms can include:
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- Tremors — rhythmic movements or shaking, especially in the hands and particularly when they are at rest
- Rigid limbs and trunk — muscle tenseness, stiffness, aching, or weakness
- Slowness of movement — difficulty beginning a task, such as washing or dressing
- Difficulty with walking — problems with maintaining balance
- Diminished dexterity and coordination — changes in handwriting, and a decline in athletic abilities
- Freezing — the sudden and brief inability to move
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| Q. How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed? |
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A. Your health care professional (HCP) will look for common symptoms of PD, including tremor, stiffness, poor balance, difficulty walking, and slowness of movement. When several symptoms occur, your HCP may see a pattern that adds up to a diagnosis of PD.
A formal diagnosis is usually made by a neurologist after a referral from a primary care physician.
Sometimes a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders is consulted.
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| Q. What is "progression"? |
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A. Parkinson's disease is a condition for which currently there is no cure. But with the right medication, you can manage your symptoms for longer periods of time. As symptoms progress, your treatment may be modified.
Medications for PD can be changed and dosages adjusted to deal with changing symptoms. Consult your HCP before making any change to your medication regimen.
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| Q. What medications are available for Parkinson's disease? |
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A. Medications for motor symptoms include:
Carbidopa/levodopa: carbidopa is added to levodopa to inhibit the action of dopa decarboxylase, an enzyme in the body that breaks down levodopa before it reaches the brain. Levodopa is converted by the body into dopamine, which replaces, or supplements, the dopamine no longer produced by the brain
Carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone: STALEVO is a combination of carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone. Carbidopa is added to levodopa to inhibit the action of dopa decarboxylase. Dopa decarboxylase is an enzyme in the body that breaks down levodopa before it reaches the brain. Levodopa is converted by the body into dopamine, which replaces, or supplements, the dopamine no longer produced by the brain. Entacapone is added to further inhibit the breakdown of levodopa in the body before it reaches the brain
Dopamine receptor agonists: drugs that mimic the activity of dopamine in the brain
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Type B (MAO-B): drugs that inhibit the activity of MAO-B, one of two subtypes of MAO, to further slow the breakdown of dopamine in the body
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| Q. Are there exercises I can do to minimize Parkinson's disease? |
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A. Always check with your HCP before beginning or changing your exercise routine. A good exercise plan can help your body cope with your symptoms and give you a sense of control over PD. It can aid your flexibility, improve your posture, keep your muscles strong and your joints supple, and improve your circulation. Exercise also relieves stress, and can give you a sense of achievement every day.
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