Treatment for Parkinson's is aimed at restoring the levels of dopamine in the brain and controlling symptoms. The symptoms and progression of Parkinson's disease are different for each person. A doctor will help to decide which treatment is best depending on symptoms and individual needs.

Several types of medicine are available and medicines that replace dopamine are the most effective treatment. These medicines are combinations of levodopa, which breaks down in the body to form dopamine, and another chemical that ensures that the levodopa reaches your brain. Dopamine replacement medicines can provide long-term improvement, although there are some side-effects such as feeling sick, vomiting and sudden sleepiness. They can also cause long-term problems such as unwanted movements of the face and limbs (dyskinesia) and may become less reliable over time, with symptoms fluctuating suddenly - often called the "on-off syndrome". Examples include co-benedopa (Madopar) and co-careldopa (eg Sinemet).

Always ask your doctor for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with any medicine you take.

One question that is asked all the time is what is the treatment for Parkinson's and really the medicines already mentioned are usually it. Sometimes, if medicines are no longer helping, however, doctors may recommend a surgical procedure known as deep brain stimulation where electrodes are placed in the brain in the areas important in controlling movement. They are connected to a pulse generator, which is placed under the skin of the chest. Tiny electrical currents sent from the pulse generator to there brain may reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Other therapies that are important for managing and coping with Parkinson's disease include physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. If you have Parkinson's disease, you will be cared for by health professionals with a range of different skills. They will make sure you have access to therapies that are right for your stage of disease.

Gene therapy involves delivering normal genes directly to the brain to help prevent the death of brain cells. However, this type of therapy is still at a very experimental stage and may not be available for some time but is likely to be the way forward for this as well as many other illnesses that are at present incurable.

So how do you go about living with Parkinson's? A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease can be very upsetting but it is vitally important that you keep things in proportion and don't write yourself off before you start! Most people stay reasonably active and symptoms may progress no further than a slight tremor, ever. This positive and believe that you will be one of those people.

However, some people do become debilitated and may need help with washing, eating and dressing. With proper treatment, people with Parkinson's disease can have a usual life expectancy and I do believe that keeping upbeat is a very important part of that.
Further information:

Parkinson's Disease Society
0808 800 0303 0808 800 0303
[url]www.parkinsons.org.uk[/url]