Parkinson's; 60 percent of the patients show symptoms such as tremors in the fingers, hands or arms, and sometimes in the feet, while resting, and 30 percent show symptoms such as slowness of movements and stiffness in limb movements. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is made based on clinical examination data.
Noting that there are treatments that can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease or manage the symptoms, Dr. However, these treatments may be more effective when diagnosed early. Early diagnosis can allow for better management of symptoms while also improving patients' quality of life, he said.
Among the symptoms of the disease; Explaining that there is REM sleep disorder and other sleep problems, loss of the sense of smell, tremors especially in one hand, smaller writing, difficulty moving or walking or walking leaning forward, constipation, loss of facial expression, low or soft voice. Dr. Onultan said, “The progression of Parkinson's disease can lead to a number of complications. Early diagnosis can help prevent or delay these complications. “For this reason, it is necessary to consult a neurologist when early symptoms are noticed and the disease is suspected,” he said.
TREATMENT MUST BE PERSONALIZED
Specialist said that the treatment of the disease generally aims to increase the patient's quality of life by focusing on the management of symptoms. Dr. Oğuzhan Onultan: “Treatment usually includes a multidisciplinary approach. It may also include medication, surgical interventions, physical therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation methods. Treatment of Parkinson's disease should be personalized and guided by a specialist physician. "The treatment plan should be tailored to the patient's symptoms, age, health status and other individual factors," he said.
Providing information about the treatment options of his disease, Specialist. Dr. Oğuzhan Onultan listed the options as follows:
Medication: A number of medications are available to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Levodopa (L-dopa) is the most commonly used medication and helps reduce Parkinson's symptoms. Other medications include dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, anticholinergics, and amantadine. Treatment is individualized depending on the severity of symptoms and the patient's tolerance for side effects.
Surgical treatmentSurgical options may be considered for some Parkinson's patients who do not respond to drug treatment or cannot tolerate the side effects of drugs. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most commonly used surgical treatment method. DBS involves placing electrodes in specific areas of the brain and electrical signals from these electrodes regulate nerve activity.
Physical therapy and exercise: For Parkinson's patients, physical therapy and regular exercise can improve muscle control, improve balance, strengthen and increase flexibility. This can help patients perform activities of daily living more independently.
Speech and swallowing therapy: As Parkinson's disease progresses, speech and swallowing problems may develop. Speech therapy and swallowing therapy can help manage such problems and improve communication skills and feeding functions.
Rehabilitation and support services: Educational and support services are available for Parkinson's patients and their families. They provide guidance and support on issues such as management of disease, use of medications, daily living skills and mental health.
