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Parkinson’s disease care

Allina Health's Movement Disorder Clinic can help patients with Parkinson’s disease and their families with diagnosis, treatment and resources.

Parkinson’s disease is a slow, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors or shaking, slowness, muscle stiffness and changes to balance and walking.

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What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in which cells in the brain that produce dopamine stop working or die. Without dopamine, the cells that control movement can’t send proper messages to the muscles, making it hard to control your muscles. The condition leads to shaking (tremors) and trouble walking and moving.

Parkinson’s disease most often develops after age 50. It is one of the most common nervous system problems in older adults.

  • The disease tends to affect men more than women, although women also develop the disease. Parkinson’s disease sometimes runs in families.
  • The disease can occur in younger adults. In such cases, it is often due to the person's genes.
  • Parkinson’s disease is rare in children.

How Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed

Your health care provider may be able to diagnose Parkinson’s disease based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Your provider may do some tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Symptoms may be mild at first. For instance, you may have a mild tremor or a slight feeling that one leg is stiff and dragging. Symptoms may affect one or both sides of the body.

Movement problems may include:

  • shaking (also called tremor)
  • slowed or smaller movement
  • trouble with balance
  • shuffling while walking
  • freezing in place while walking
  • steps becoming shorter and faster while walking
  • reduced facial expression
  • reduced blinking
  • softer speech
  • muscle stiffness
  • stooped posture
  • smaller handwriting
  • difficulty rolling over in bed
  • difficulty standing up from a low seat

Other symptoms may include:

  • anxiety
  • changes in thinking or memory
  • hallucinations
  • trouble with motivation (also called apathy)
  • depression
  • fainting or lightheadedness
  • constipation
  • difficulty swallowing
  • drooling
  • frequent or urgent urination
  • memory loss

Treatment options

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but treatment can help control your symptoms. There are many medications that can help with the movement and other symptoms. Exercise is the one treatment that can help to address symptoms and slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Surgery may be an option for some people when medications alone are not helping enough. Surgery does not cure Parkinson's disease, but it may help ease symptoms. Types of surgery include:

  • Deep brain stimulation: This involves placing very thin wires deep into the brain in areas that control movement. Then a small amount of electricity is passed through the wires from a battery similar to a pacemaker. You and your doctor should decide together if deep brain stimulation makes sense for you. To help you in deciding, please see our shared decision-making aid: Should you have deep brain stimulation?
  • Focused ultrasound: A minimally invasive option where concentrated beams of ultrasound energy are directed to heat a small area in the thalamus, which disrupts the neural pathways causing tremors.

Certain lifestyle changes may help you cope with Parkinson disease:

  • Stay healthy by eating nutritious foods.
  • Make changes in what you eat or drink if you have swallowing problems.
  • Use speech therapy to help you adjust to changes in your swallowing and speech.
  • Stay active as much as possible when you feel good. DO NOT overdo it when your energy is low.
  • Rest as needed during the day and avoid stress.
  • Use physical therapy and occupational therapy to help you stay independent and reduce the risk of falls.
  • Place handrails throughout your house to help prevent falls. Place them in bathrooms and along stairways.
  • Use assistive devices, when needed, to make movement easier. These devices may include special eating utensils, wheelchairs, bed lifts, shower chairs, and walkers.

Talk to a social worker or other counseling service to help you and your family cope with the disorder. These services can also help you get outside help, such as Meals on Wheels.

Parkinson’s disease care at Allina Health

The specialists at Allina Health's movement disorders clinic will work with you to understand your unique circumstances and condition to determine the most appropriate treatment. 

Additionally, The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, part of Allina Health, offers comprehensive rehabilitation services and expert treatment to help patients improve function, gain greater independence and meet their individual goals.

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Reviewed by: Allyson Connor, MD

Last reviewed: 10/29/2024