Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressing, chronic, degenerative disease that causes tremors or trembling of the jaw, arms and legs stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk slow movement and postural instability. These symptoms result from the loss of brain cells in an area of the brain that enables coordinated muscle movement.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms and risk factors
The risk of PD increases with advancing age. The average age of onset is 60, although the disease can occur in younger patients, even teenagers. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 50 percent more men than women are affected.
Diagnosis and next steps
Diagnosis is based primarily on a thorough medical history and thorough neurological examination.
Parkinsonism can also accompany other neurological conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, post-traumatic encephalopathy, Lewy body dementia and others.
PD has no cure. Treatments may involve:
- Medications
- Surgery
- Complementary and supportive therapies, such as diet, exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
- Focused ultrasound
Treating Parkinson’s disease with focused ultrasound
If medication has not worked for you, you may qualify for a new incision-free alternative. This targeted technique treats PD symptoms using MRI-guided precision sound waves, leading to less risk of complications and faster recovery.
Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, in partnership with Jefferson’s Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, are the first in the region to offer focused ultrasound for PD.
Support group
Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute has free a Parkinson’s support group for people who have the condition as well as for their families or caregivers. There is also an annual patient and family educational seminar. Call 888-402-LVHN (5846) or check below for information about monthly meetings.
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