What kind of doctor do you need for Parkinson's?
Your doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
Where is the best place to go for Parkinson's?
Mayo Clinic doctors are experienced, evaluating and treating about 4,700 people with Parkinson's disease each year. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery and for rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report.
How often should a Parkinson's patient see a neurologist?
Most people with Parkinson's are advised to see their doctor every three to six months; especially if they are taking anti-Parkinson's medications. If a person is experiencing problems with his or her condition or its treatment, more frequent visits may be warranted.
What should I ask my neurologist about Parkinson's?
10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Parkinson's DiseaseAt what stage is my illness?How quickly do you think my disease will progress?How will Parkinson's disease affect my work?What physical changes can I expect? ... What treatments do you suggest now? ... What are the side effects of medication?More items...•
What foods should Parkinson's patients avoid?
There are also some foods that a person with Parkinson's may wish to avoid. These include processed foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and low fat milk, and those that are high in cholesterol and saturated fat.
What medications should Parkinson's patients avoid?
These drugs include Prochlorperazine (Compazine), Promethazine (Phenergan), and Metoclopramide (Reglan). They should be avoided. Also, drugs that deplete dopamine such as reserpine and tetrabenazine may worsen Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism and should be avoided in most cases.
What does a neurologist do for Parkinson's?
A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist with additional training in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. This type of doctor typically has extensive knowledge of Parkinson's therapies and ongoing research. Technology is helping more patients connect with these specialists.
What happens if carbidopa levodopa doesn't work?
Therefore, needing more carbidopa/levodopa over time does not mean that the medication is no longer working, it means that the disease is changing. In addition, as PD progresses, a person may start to develop more symptoms that are not responsive to carbidopa/levodopa.
Can Parkinson's disease affect your vision?
Parkinson's can cause many symptoms, ranging from dry eyes to double vision. Not only can visual disturbances interfere with reading or driving, they can worsen walking or balance problems, and even contribute to hallucinations.
Can Parkinson's stay mild?
Parkinson's disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.
Can Parkinson's deteriorate quickly?
How quickly they get worse varies substantially, perhaps because there may be multiple underlying causes of the disease. In most cases, symptoms change slowly, with substantive progression taking place over the space of many months or years.
What is the PDQ 39?
The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) assesses how often people with Parkinson's experience difficulties across 8 dimensions of daily living including relationships, social situations and communication.
Parkinson's Disease (Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Stages, Treatment)
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which leads to progressive deterioration of motor function due to loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
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How long does it take to become a Parkinson's disease specialist?
Both general neurologists and movement disorders specialists care for people living with Parkinson’s. It takes about 12 years in the U.S. to become a general neurologist — a doctor who works with brain and central nervous system conditions. This includes a four-year undergraduate college degree, four years in medical school ...
What is a movement disorder specialist?
Most movement disorders specialists are neurologists who have completed another one or two years of movement disorders training, a neurology sub-specialty. Movement disorders specialists may see patients in a private practice or at university medical centers.
Do neurologists treat Parkinson's?
General neurologists and specialists have a lot more experience diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s than a general practitioner. Recent research underscores this point. A 2011 study showed that people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s who went to a neurologist lived longer than those who saw a primary care provider, they were less likely to need placement in a skilled nursing facility and they seemed less likely to have experienced injuries from falls.
What kind of doctor treats Parkinson's disease?
Look for a neurologist, a doctor who works with brain and central nervous system conditions such as Parkinson’s. When possible, a movement disorder specialist — a neurologist with additional training to treat people with Parkinson’s at every stage of the disease — can be a key addition to a quality care team.
How to contact Parkinson's Foundation?
Contact the free Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1.800 .4PD.INFO (1-800-473-4636) or Helpline@Parkinson.org to find expert care in your area, answers to your PD questions and nearby resources. You don’t need a reason to call; we are here for you. The Helpline is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
What to do if you have PD?
Once you have nearby neurologist or movement disorders specialist to help manage your PD, you may want to begin building an a broader healthcare team. When possible, assembling medically diverse experts to work with you in managing your PD symptoms can optimize your well-being.
Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials
You may have heard about clinical trials from your doctor, read or heard advertisements in the newspaper or on the radio, or found out about trials in your area through a support gr ...
West Valley Medical Center
The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein.
