Saturday, October 17, 2009

Parkinson's progression

Symptoms of Parkinson's usually begin slowly, develop gradually and in no particular order.

Everyone with Parkinson's is very different and may have a different collection of symptoms and response to treatment.

The nature and severity of symptoms and the rate at which the condition progresses will also be individual. The symptoms may take years to progress.

However, since Parkinson's is a progressive condition, symptoms will worsen over
time and new ones may appear. It is difficult to estimate how quickly or slowly Parkinson's
will progress in each person. It may progress more quickly in people who are older when the
symptoms first begin.

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's. However, many of the motor symptoms can be
treated with medications. Medications used to treat the symptoms either replace the lost
dopamine or mimic the action of dopamine in the brain. Medications can alleviate the symptoms,
but do not slow the progression of Parkinson's. As the symptoms change, medications will need
to be adjusted.

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