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Parkinson’s diagnosed?

This is one of the major frustrations with Parkinson’s disease is it is so difficult to diagnose, as there is no blood test or nothing that a laboratory can test. This is why a visit with a neurologist is so vitally important. The neurologist may require different tests such as CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brain, but these may not yield conclusive results. The earlier the disease is diagnosed the faster treatment and management plans can be implemented. Since the majority of people diagnosed are in their 60’s the early signs and symptoms can be perceived as aging. Usually the process of a diagnosis is ruling out and eliminating other diseases and disorders that may have similar symptoms. The sooner an acute diagnosis is made the sooner a management plan begins.

The prognosis

With Parkinson’s your life expectancy is about the same as anyone and with the many exercise, activity and treatment programs available a quality of life can also be maintained. But you must adopt a lifestyle to manage the disease and commit to these programs. In the later stages of PD you may not be as responsive to mediations, prone to choking, susceptible to pneumonia and falling. The more dedicated to an active healthy lifestyle the better in managing the later stages of PD. This is a process so manage it.

As you know PD is a progressive disease, affecting each individual differently which makes it very difficult to predict. The Hoehn and Yahr scale is the most common scale utilized by neurologists to monitor the progression of PD.

Hoehn and Yahr Scale

Stage one — symptoms show 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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]