Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Deep brain stimulation is performed in two stages. During the first stage, a neurosurgeon inserts an electrode into a targeted area of the brain. Both frame-based and newer frameless techniques for placing the implants can be used. During the... Full Answer

Most patients are in the hospital for two to three days for the procedure. We do not turn the device on for about a month after surgery to allow the brain to heal and settle. Patients are back on their original medications until we turn the... Full Answer

With deep brain stimulation, patients with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor often note immediate improvement, and the results are long lasting. In contrast, patients with dystonia or obsessive-compulsive disorder may not notice any... Full Answer

For the first part of the surgery that involves brain mapping, the patient is conscious or may have light sedation. It is interesting that the brain itself has no nerve endings, so we are able to map the brain with electrodes without the patient... Full Answer

Physical, occupational, speech, swallowing, and nutrition therapy can all help people with Parkinson's disease maintain function over time. Rehabilitation experts will: Evaluate muscle strength and motor skills and develop an individualized program to... Full Answer

Treating Parkinson's disease with surgery was once a common practice. But after the discovery of the levodopa drug, surgery was restricted to only a few cases. Studies in the past few decades have led to great improvements in surgical techniques, and... Full Answer

For most with Parkinson's disease, surgery is a last resort. Treatment usually begins with a medication regimen. If your case is advanced, and you don't respond consistently to treatment, surgery may be recommended. Full Answer

Some older surgical techniques for Parkinson's disease include pallidotomy and thalamotomy, which involves making a small stroke in the brain to suppress excessive activity. While they work well for a few years there is a tendency for symptoms to... Full Answer

There are some foods that naturally contain high doses of levodopa. Levodopa deficiency in the brain is what causes Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms (slowness, stiffness, tremors, unsteadiness). One such food is fava beans. Good luck finding it... Full Answer

There are some alternative treatments for Parkinson's disease, although you should always check with your doctor before altering your treatment. Exercise is thought to be helpful. Tai chi and yoga in particular may be able to improve your balance and... Full Answer