Newly Diagnosed: Treatment Strategies for Parkinson's
While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease yet, there are therapeutic approaches that can help to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Experimental treatments are also being explored that could prove beneficial for patients. Check out the information below to explore more about therapeutic strategies your doctor may recommend and what therapies are in the pipeline for potential future use.
Approved Treatments
Most medications developed specifically to treat Parkinson’s disease target common motor symptoms. Many of these treatments are designed to increase the level of the dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that transfers signals between nerve cells. Dopamine is involved in regulating signals for movement, which is reduced in the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients.
Experimental Treatments
There are a number of experimental treatments in the pipeline for the potential treatment of Parkinson’s, from those aimed at treating the symptoms of the disease to those that may be able to target the underlying cause of the disease. Eventually, all of this research may even lead to a cure for Parkinson’s. Click the link below to learn more about the experimental therapies currently under development.
Non-drug Treatments
Non-drug treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can help maintain patients’ quality of life, mobility, and ability to communicate with others for as long as possible. Other approaches that may help ease some symptoms of the disease include lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet.
