Parkinson Disease
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Parkinson disease (PD)
is a long-term movement disorder. The brain cells that control movement start to die and cause changes in how you move, feel, and act. Even though PD may progress and have a severe impact on your daily life, it is not a life-threatening disease. Symptoms often increase and get worse over time.
Common signs and symptoms include the following:
- Tremors that go away when you move or sleep
- Difficulty moving or getting up from a seated position
- Difficulty with small movements, such as buttoning clothing or eating
- Decreased blinking and facial emotion
- Joint stiffness and jerky movements
- Difficulty keeping balance when standing or changing positions
- Shuffling or hunched position while walking
- Difficulty speaking and writing
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:
- You feel like hurting yourself or others.
- You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
- You become confused, or you have trouble speaking.
Seek care immediately if:
- You feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint.
- You have weakness in an arm or leg.
- You have a severe headache or vision changes.
Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions
Call your doctor or neurologist if:
- You have a fever.
- You are not sleeping well or you sleep more than usual.
- You cannot eat or are eating more than usual.
- You feel that your condition is getting worse.
- You have new symptoms since your last appointment.
- Your sad feelings or thoughts change the way you function during the day.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment:
PD cannot be cured. The goal of treatment is to help manage your symptoms. You may need any of the following:
- Medicines may be used to improve movement problems, such as muscle stiffness, twitches, and restlessness. Your healthcare provider may use several types of medicine to help manage your symptoms.
- Botulinum toxin helps control problems such as tremors, bladder or bowel problems, trouble swallowing, and drooling.
- Surgery may be used to place an electrical device inside your brain during surgery called deep brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation may help to decrease symptoms, such as tremor and rigidity. When the device is in your brain, you may turn the device on or off whenever you want.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Manage PD:
- Do not eat foods that are high in protein or dairy. They can cause problems with how some of your medicine works. Ask your healthcare provider how much protein and dairy is safe to eat. Your provider may tell you to eat foods high in fiber to make it easier to have a bowel movement. Examples are cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole-grain breads. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
- Follow instructions about driving. Your provider will let you know if it safe for you to drive.
- Exercise as directed. A physical therapist teaches you exercises to help improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain. This may help you control your body movements, and keep your balance.
- Talk to your provider about therapy. Your provider may recommend any of the following:
- Physical therapy is used to help you learn exercises to improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain. This may help you control your body movements, keep your balance, and fall less often.
- Occupational therapy is used to teach skills that help with daily activities. Your occupational therapist may help you choose equipment to help you at home and work. Your therapist can also suggest ways to keep your home and workplace safe.
- Speech therapy is used to help improve your ability to talk or swallow.
- Mental health therapy is used to help you talk about your feeling about PD. Your family members may attend meetings to learn new ways to take better care of both you and themselves.
Follow up with your doctor or neurologist as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
For support and more information:
- American Parkinson Disease Association
135 Parkinson Ave.
Staten Island , NY 10305
Phone: 1- 718 - 981-8001
Web Address: http://www.apdaparkinson.org
- National Parkinson Foundation
1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road
Miami, Florida , 33136-1494
1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road
Miami, Florida , 33136-1494
Phone: 1- 305 - 243-6666
Phone: 1- 800 - 327-4545
Web Address: http://www.parkinson.org
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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