Parkinson’s Treatment by Stage: Drugs, Therapy, Surgery, and More

No known treatment can stop or reverse the breakdown of nerve cells that causes Parkinson's disease. But drugs can relieve many symptoms of the disease. Surgery also can be effective in a small number of people to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Treatment is different for every person, and the type of treatment you will need may change as the disease progresses. Your age, work status, family, and living situation can all affect decisions about when to begin treatment, what types of treatment to use, and when to make changes in treatment. As your medical condition changes, you may need regular adjustments in your treatment to balance quality-of-life issues, side effects of treatment, and treatment costs.

Parkinson's Disease

Important It is possible that the main title of the report Parkinson's Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

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Parkinson's disease causes a wide range of symptoms and complications. This topic covers the overall management of the disease. This topic does not discuss managing specific symptoms.

If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment for Parkinson's disease. Your doctor may wait to prescribe treatment with drugs until your symptoms begin to interfere with your daily activities. Other treatment methods (such as exercise, physical therapy, and occupational therapy) can be helpful at all stages of Parkinson's disease to help you maintain your strength, mobility, and independence.

There are many measures you can take at home to make dealing with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease easier. Simplify your daily activities so that you have the energy for those that are most necessary. And arrange your furniture and other commonly used items so that it is easier for you to move around and get to things in your home. This can help keep you functioning independently.

Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet are important parts of treating Parkinson's disease. Exercise can help you keep your strength, coordination, and endurance as well as control your weight and reduce the likelihood that you will become constipated. And although a balanced diet is important, people who take levodopa should talk to their doctor about when to eat protein, because levodopa may not work as well if you take it at the same time that you eat protein.

Depression is common in people with Parkinson's disease. Recognizing and dealing with depression is an important part of home treatment. There are medicines that can help the symptoms of depression in people with Parkinson's disease. Your doctor, other health professionals, or Parkinson's disease support groups can help you get emotional support and education about the illness. This is important both early and throughout the course of the disease.

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Parkinson's Treatment by Stage: Drugs, Therapy, Surgery, and More