Comprehensive Parkinson's Treatment at National Hospital

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that significantly affects a person’s movement and quality of life. This condition arises due to damage to the nerve cells in the brain responsible for producing dopamine—an essential chemical that influences movement coordination. Parkinson’s is most commonly diagnosed in older adults over the age of 60, but younger individuals may also be affected, particularly when genetic factors or specific environmental exposures are involved.

What Symptoms Should Be Watched Out For?

Symptoms of Parkinson’s vary from person to person and tend to develop gradually. The major hallmark symptoms include:

1. Tremors: Involuntary shaking, often beginning on one side of the body (usually the hands or fingers), typically occurring at rest (resting tremor).
2. Rigidity: Stiff or inflexible muscles, leading to restricted movement and a stooped posture.
3. Akinesia or Bradykinesia (Slowed Movements): Movements become slow, especially when initiating or maintaining motion. Daily activities like walking, dressing, or eating may be affected. The gait may become shuffling with small steps.
4. Postural Instability: Difficulty maintaining balance, increasing the risk of falls. The body posture may appear hunched over.
5. In addition to these motor symptoms, people with Parkinson’s may experience significant non-motor symptoms, such as:
6. Loss of sense of smell
7. Sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, acting out dreams)
8. Digestive issues (e.g., constipation)
9. Depression and anxiety
10. Mood and behavioral changes
11. Speech difficulties (fast speech, slurred speech)
12. Trouble swallowing
13. Fatigue
14. Pain
15. Cognitive issues (slowed thinking, memory problems, and in advanced stages, dementia)

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease typically doesn’t rely on a single test but involves a series of comprehensive evaluations. The diagnostic process includes:

1. Medical History: Doctors will ask about the patient’s full medical history, including any family history of Parkinson’s (genetic factors) and current or past medications, as some drugs can trigger Parkinson-like symptoms.
2. Patient Interview: An in-depth discussion to understand the symptoms, when they began, how often they occur, and how they affect daily activities.
3. Physical and Neurological Examination: This is crucial in diagnosis. Doctors observe the patient’s movement, balance, coordination, reflexes, muscle tone, and posture to identify signs like resting tremor, rigidity, or bradykinesia.
4. Supporting Tests: In some cases, doctors may recommend imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans. While these tests cannot directly diagnose Parkinson’s, they help rule out other conditions that mimic Parkinson’s (called secondary parkinsonism) like strokes, brain tumors, or normal pressure hydrocephalus. Sometimes, a DaTscan (Dopamine Transporter Scan) may be used to measure dopamine levels in the brain, which can help differentiate Parkinson’s from other conditions.

Treatment for Parkinson’s

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s or treatment that can stop its progression entirely. However, treatments aim to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

1. Medications

The main treatment is medication, especially drugs that increase dopamine levels, such as L-Dopa (Levodopa) and other dopamine-related medications. These are tailored to the individual’s symptoms.

2. Non-Medication Therapies

• Physical Therapy: Helps reduce muscle stiffness, improves mobility, balance, and flexibility.
• Speech Therapy: Helps with difficulties in speaking and swallowing.
• Psychotherapy: Useful for patients experiencing depression or anxiety.

3. Surgical Options

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

DBS is a surgical procedure that improves quality of life by controlling Parkinson’s symptoms, especially when medications no longer provide optimal results. This involves implanting a device that continuously stimulates affected brain areas. DBS has shown up to 90% effectiveness in managing symptoms.

• Stereotactic Brain Lesioning

This procedure targets specific brain regions responsible for motor symptoms, such as the Globus Pallidus (Pallidotomy) or Thalamus (Thalamotomy). Using high-precision stereotactic instruments, lesions are made in these brain regions to reduce abnormal nerve signals causing symptoms. The patient remains awake during the procedure, and it is highly effective—up to 90%—especially for tremors.

Although Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive disease, early detection and proper management can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. Support from family and caregivers is also vital in this journey. Research continues to evolve to find more effective treatments—and ultimately, a cure—for Parkinson’s.

If you or a loved one shows signs of Parkinson’s, don’t let the condition limit your life. Early detection and appropriate treatment are key to managing symptoms and slowing disease progression.

At National Hospital Surabaya, we have an experienced team of neurosurgery specialists in Surabaya who are consultants in managing Parkinson’s disease. Supported by modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, we are ready to provide the comprehensive and personalized care you need—from accurate diagnosis to tailored treatment plans suited to each patient’s condition.