Friday, November 5, 2010

Is there a cure for parkinson's?

There is no cure for Parkinson’s at present. Drugs are used to try to control symptoms of Parkinson’s. There are no perfect drugs, although there are many promising developments.

Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there is effective treatment. No treatment has been definitively shown to stop or slow disease progression, but several studies are underway. The main two treatment approaches are medical and surgical.

Regular exercise promotes a feeling of physical and mental well-being, important in the management of PD. Although exercise does not slow progression of PD symptoms it can prevent or alleviate orthopedic effects of akinesia, rigidity and flexed posture such as shoulder, hip, and back pain and has also been shown to improve some motor functions. Supervised training including cardiovascular fitness exercise, muscle stretching and strengthening, and balance training have been found to be useful in some short- and long-term studies

The main aims of drug treatments for Parkinson’s are to:

•increase the level of dopamine that reaches the brain
•stimulate the parts of the brain where dopamine works
•block the action of other chemicals that affect dopamine.
In most newly diagnosed people considerable improvements can be achieved by careful introduction of anti-parkinsonian drugs.

As Parkinson’s is a very individual condition, medication is prescribed and adapted to individual needs. Response to medication varies from person to person and not every medication will be considered suitable for everyone. It is important to discuss appropriate medication or any changes in medication with your health care professional.

It is important to also maintain a healthy lifestyle, focusing on exercise, relaxation and diet.

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