Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder. Detailed listening to the patient's complaint, questioning his family history and medications used, as well as a neurological examination are usually sufficient for diagnosis. MRI, EEG, EMG, blood tests or neuropsychological tests may be requested to exclude secondary causes.
Hand tremors in the public are generally associated with Parkinson's disease, but they are mostly associated with essential tremor, which is very different from Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson's disease, the hands tremble at rest, but the tremor decreases or disappears when the hand is moved. The hands of Parkinson's patients shake when the hands are free while sitting or walking. In essential tremor, the hand begins to shake while doing a task. These patients have problems with functions such as carrying a tray, holding a glass or using a spoon. However, the distinction is not always easy and evaluation of other accompanying findings is very important for diagnosis.
Some of Parkinson's patients may not have hand tremors at all, the most basic features are facial expressions, tone of voice, use of arms and trunk, and walking. slowing down of movements. Since this slowing down develops very slowly, it is generally attributed to aging, but the patient is slower than his/her peers. This condition, which is easily ignored at first, becomes undeniable over time and patients or their relatives accept that they need to see a doctor.
Although Parkinson's disease is most common in the elderly, it can also be seen in teenagers and young adults. If diagnosed before the age of twenty, it is called juvenile Parkinson's disease, and if diagnosed before the age of 40, it is called early-onset Parkinson's disease. However, although the treatment strategies are different for each group, similar medications are used.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease and today, medications are used to relieve and increase the movements of patients, not for definitive treatment of the disease. Regular doctor follow-up is important as the dose may need to be increased or new medication added as the disease progresses. In Parkinson's disease, not only movements are impaired, but accompanying problems such as constipation, sleep disorders, thought and behavioral disorders, and forgetfulness are also regulated with medications, allowing the patient and their relatives to cope with the disease more easily. ar.
Due to the drug interaction potential of drugs used in Parkinson's disease, all medications used by the patient should be evaluated by the neurologist, and those that are not suitable may need to be discontinued or changed.
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