OUR SERVICESParkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative neurological disorder affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. Men and women alike are affected and, although the highest incidence is in those over 60 years old, an alarming number of cases under 50 are being documented yearly.
PD is characterized by slowness in movement, walking difficulty, posture instability, rigidity or stiffness of arms, legs or neck, and tremors, mostly in the hands at rest. Secondary symptoms may include depression, confusion, difficulty in speaking and/or swallowing, and facial “masking.”
There are a number of effective medicines that help to ease the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Most symptoms are caused by lack of dopamine. The medicines most commonly used will attempt to either replace or mimic dopamine, which improves the tremor, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson disease. Several new medicines are being studied that may slow the progression. Many promise to improve the lives of people with Parkinson disease.