Parkinson's Disease (cont.)
How is Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed?
There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to
help in diagnosing sporadic Parkinson's disease. Therefore the diagnosis is based on medical
history and a neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose
accurately. Early signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease may sometimes be dismissed as the
effects of normal aging. The physician may need to observe the person for some
time until it is apparent that the symptoms are consistently present. Doctors
may sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other
diseases. However, CT and MRI brain scans of people with
Parkinson's disease usually appear
normal. Since many other diseases have similar features but require different
treatments, making a precise diagnosis as soon as possible is essential so that
patients can receive the proper treatment.
What is the Prognosis for Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is not by itself a fatal disease, but it does get
worse with time. The average life expectancy of a Parkinson's disease patient is generally the
same as for people who do not have the disease. However, in the late stages of
the disease, Parkinson's disease may cause complications such as choking, pneumonia, and falls that can lead to
death. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for people with
Parkinson's disease.
The progression of symptoms in Parkinson's disease may take 20 years or more. In some people,
however, the disease progresses more quickly. There is no way to predict what
course the disease will take for an individual person. One commonly used system
for describing how the symptoms of Parkinson's disease progress is called the Hoehn and Yahr
scale.
Hoehn and Yahr Staging of Parkinson's Disease
Stage one
- Symptoms on one side of the body only.
Stage two
- Symptoms on both sides of the body. No impairment of balance.
Stage three
- Balance impairment. Mild to moderate disease. Physically independent.
Stage four
- Severe disability, but still able to walk or stand unassisted.
Stage five
- Wheelchair-bound or bedridden unless assisted.
Another commonly used scale is the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
(UPDRS). This much more complicated scale has multiple ratings that measure
mental functioning, behavior, and mood; activities of daily living; and motor
function. Both the Hoehn and Yahr scale and the UPDRS are used to measure how
individuals are faring and how much treatments are helping them.
With appropriate treatment, most people with Parkinson's disease can live productive lives for
many years after diagnosis.
Next: How is the Parkinson's Disease Treated? »
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