What department should you go to for Parkinson's disease?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on November 26, 2024
00:00
00:00

Registration for Parkinson's disease should be in the Department of Neurology, as Parkinson's disease is a common disorder within neurology, so seeing a neurologist is sufficient. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease, primarily affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Although there is a genetic predisposition in some cases of Parkinson's disease, those with a family history might develop the disease in their youth, but sporadic cases generally occur in middle-aged or older individuals. Patients exhibit many motor symptoms that severely affect their quality of life, including muscle rigidity, limb tremors, and slowed movement, as well as other complications. Many neurologists are very familiar with Parkinson's disease and have seen many patients with it, possessing significant diagnostic and treatment experience. Therefore, consulting neurology is entirely appropriate.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 5sec home-news-image

How long can someone with Parkinson's disease live?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. It has a slow and inconspicuous onset, and it progresses gradually. The disease itself does not affect the patient's lifespan, as it does not impact the functions of heartbeats or breathing. If treated properly, cared for promptly, medications are taken as prescribed by the doctor, and followed up long-term, patients can survive about twenty years without problems. However, if patients adjust their medications on their own, stop taking their medications without consultation, or receive improper care from family members leading to accidental injuries or complications such as lung infections, then their lifespan can be significantly shortened. Once bedridden, life expectancy may rapidly decline. Therefore, with proper treatment and care, patients with Parkinson's disease can survive for about ten to twenty years. If care and treatment are not managed properly, patients may be threatened by fractures or lung infections, potentially reducing their lifespan to about five to ten years.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
54sec home-news-image

Causes of Parkinson's Disease

The cause of Parkinson's disease is mainly due to a part of the brain called the brainstem, which has some black moles and clusters containing a large number of neurons that can produce dopamine. The death of these neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, caused by various factors, leads to Parkinson's disease. This results in noticeable slowness of movement in the limbs, muscle rigidity, as well as tremors, and unstable walking and other clinical manifestations. The causes of the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra include genetic factors. Additionally, age is the biggest cause of the disease. Furthermore, dysfunctions in mitochondrial function, ischemia and hypoxia in the midbrain, certain traumas, and the use of drugs that deplete dopamine can all potentially cause Parkinson's disease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
51sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease in its early stages may primarily manifest as clumsiness in limb movement, especially in fine motor skills, such as difficulty in wrapping dumplings, rolling dumpling wrappers, or slow buttoning, which are clinical signs of early symptoms. Some patients may initially experience slight trembling in the limbs, which is generally more pronounced during rest and relaxation and diminishes during activity. Additionally, some individuals with early Parkinson's disease primarily exhibit non-motor symptoms, such as constipation, depression, reduced sense of smell, and may also experience rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, characterized by shouting and physical actions like punching or kicking during sleep.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What medicine is used for Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a relatively common neurological disorder, with a higher incidence in middle-aged and elderly people. Currently, there is no specific cure for the disease, but there are many medications that can significantly improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The commonly used medications mainly include: The first major category is Levodopa preparations. This type of medication has good efficacy but can cause some adverse drug reactions and may provoke the occurrence of motor complications. It should be taken under the advice of a doctor. The second major category of drugs is dopamine receptor agonists. These drugs also have relatively good effects and can improve the motor symptoms of patients, though they may be a bit expensive. Third, anticholinergic drugs. They can significantly improve the patients' normal symptoms, but should not be taken by patients with cognitive impairments. Additionally, there are monoamine oxidase inhibitors and COMT inhibitors that can also be used.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
46sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease begins inconspicuously and progresses gradually. There are two main categories of symptoms in Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, one can appear normal, or may experience motor symptoms like bradykinesia or rigidity, often starting asymmetrically. Symptoms commonly begin on one side of the upper limbs, and less frequently start from the lower limbs, eventually spreading to the limbs on the other side. Non-motor symptoms can occur at various stages of Parkinson's disease, including the pre-motor phase, such as loss of smell, sleep disturbances, constipation, depression, and more.