Stage 1 Parkinson’s

Mild symptoms that do not interfere with daily activities.

Tremor occur on one side of the body only.
Disease
For more information on Parkinson's you may An Information Brochure
Stage 2
reach out to the following organisations:

Tremor, rigidity affect both sides of the body. Walking NIMHANS

problems Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder
Clinic (PDMD Clinic)
Stage 3 Department of Neurology
Hosur Road
Bangalore - 560029, India
Loss of balance and falls are hallmarks. slowness of Phone: +91-80-26995140
movements Website: http://www.nimhans.ac.in
http://www.nimhans.ac.in/neurology/parkinsons-
disease-and-movement-disorder-clinic-pdmd-
Stage 4 clinic

Parkinson's & Ageing Research

Can stand on his own but require walker
for moving around. Needs help for daily Foundation
activities. #58, C/12, Micro Labs Compound,
Kudlu Village,Hosur Main Road,
Bangalore 560068
Stage 5 Ph: 080 25744462
Website: https://parf.in
Impossible to stand or walk. Requires wheelchair or is
bed-ridden.
What is Parkinson’s disease?Drug
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive
neurodegenerative condition. It is caused by the
degeneration of nerve cells in a specific part of the
brain This degeneration causes decreased levels of
a brain chemical called Dopamine which controls
movement. Studies have shown that symptoms of
Parkinson’s develop in patients with an 80% or
greater loss of these dopamine-producing cells.
As Parkinson’s progresses, the
Dopamine produced in the Brain
leaving a person unable to control movement
normally.
The incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s
increases with advancing age, being present in 1%
of people over the age of 65 years. Parkinson’s is
twice as common in men than in women in most
populations.
How is Parkinson’s diagnosed? Surgery
Currently, there are no blood or laboratory tests or X-Ray As the disorder progresses, however, some
that confirm the disease. Therefore the diagnosis is patients develop variability in their response to
primarily based on the common symptoms outlined above. It medications. Based upon the type and severity of
also involves considering the medical history and a symptoms and deterioration of quality of life and
neurological examination. the patient’s overall health, surgery may be the
next step.
Conventional methods for diagnosis include:
The presence of two of the three primary symptoms The safest is the Deep Brain Stimulation.
The absence of other neurological signs upon examination It uses an electrode surgically implanted into the
No history of other possible causes of parkinsonism, such part of the brain, the subthalamic nucleus. Similar
amount of
as the use of tranquilizer medications, head trauma or to a cardiac pacemaker, a pulse generator is
decreases,
stroke implanted in the chest area under the collarbone
Responsiveness to Parkinson's medications, such as that sends finely controlled electrical signals to the
levodopa electrode(s) via a wire placed under the skin.
When turned on using an external wand, the pulse
What causes Parkinson’s Disease? generator and electrodes painlessly stimulate the
brain in a way that helps to block signals that cause
Parkinson's disease occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in
many of the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. DBS
the brain become impaired. These neurons produce an
is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
important brain chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine is a
Administration and is widely used as a treatment
chemical messenger responsible for movement. This loss of
dopamine results impaired movement. Most experts think for PD.

Symptoms that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is

If you are suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, you responsible for the loss of neurons. They have identified Complementary and Supportive
may experience the following key motor oxidative damage, environmental toxins, genetic factors and
accelerated aging as possible causes for the disease.
Therapies
symptoms:
There are many complementary and supportive
Although there is no cure, there are various treatments therapies that help reduce the symptoms and
Tremors - These usually involve your hands,
available to manage and improve the motor symptoms. maintain quality of life. These include Diet,
arms, legs and jaw. Tremors are slow,
Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Muscle-
involuntary and rhythmic movements.
Muscle rigidity - This is most common in the Treatment strengthening Exercises.

arms, shoulders or neck. You may feel the body

part stiff. Drug Therapy An Information Brochure
Bradykinesia - Gradual loss of ability to initiate Medication for Parkinson’s fall under three categories. The
voluntary movement, including walking. You first category includes drugs that increase the level of
may find your walking stride is short and dopamine in the brain. For example, Levodopa. In addition to
shuffling. Also, there is often a decrease in facial Levodopa, there are medications available that mimic the
expressions. role of Dopamine. For example, Apomorphine. The second
Postural abnormalities - stooped, flexed posture. category affects other neurotransmitters in the body in
order to ease some of the symptoms of the disease. The third
A person with Parkinson's disease can also category includes medications that help control the non-
experience a wide range of other physical and motor symptoms of the disease, that is, the symptoms that
psychological symptoms like depression, difficulty don't affect movement. For example, Antidepressants.
swallowing and chewing, speech changes, urinary
problems, constipation, sleep problems, fatigue.
Complementary and Supportive