What is Parkinson's Disease?
• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
• One of the most common adult neurological conditions
• More common in men than women
Diagnosis
• No Parkinson’s specific test exists
• Diagnosed by neurologist on the basis of medical history, signs and symptoms, neurological exam, and physical exam
• Blood tests and imaging tests to rule out other conditions
• May take a process with multiple specialists to identify Parkinson’s disease
Treatment
• Medications to help manage symptoms. Some common types of medication include: Carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, and MAO B inhibitors
• Invasive procedures
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy will help manage the disease by providing therapeutic intervention with strengthening, endurance training, home modifications to improve/maintain independence, reduce impact of symptoms, work evaluations, improve mobility, prescribe mobility devices and adaptive equipment, improve oral motor control, and improve overall independence in self care and life activities
