Over Half a Million Affected with Parkinson's Disease in India: Fortis Neurology Expert Explains Causes and Treatment Options

Over Half a Million Affected with Parkinson's Disease in India: Fortis Neurology Expert Explains Causes and Treatment Options 

 Ludhiana, April 2024: The Global Burden of Disease Study reports that throughout the previous 20 years, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease has doubled globally, with 10% of the burden falling on India. This concerning figure means that more than 5.8 lakh people in the country are afflicted with the disease. 1 Dr Vaibhav Tandon, Consultant – Neurology at Fortis Ludhiana says Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain condition in which a specific area of the human brain, the basal ganglia, deteriorates. As this area deteriorates, the person loses the abilities those areas once controlled. When the brain sends activation signals that tell muscles to move, it fine-tunes movements using cells that require dopamine. That’s why lack of dopamine causes the slowed movements and tremors symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It ranks second among age-related degenerative brain diseases and is also the most common motor (movement-related) brain disease. As Parkinson's disease progresses, the symptoms expand and intensify. Later stages of the disease often affect how your brain functions, causing dementia-like symptoms and depression. The condition isn’t curable, but there are many different treatment options. 

 The most well-known signs of Parkinson's disease are related to the weakness of the muscles. But Parkinson's disease symptoms don't just include problems with motor control. Slower motions, tremors, stiffness or rigidity, unsteady posture or stride when walking, fewer blinks, small or cramped handwriting, a mask-like facial expression, and an exceptionally soft speaking voice are examples of motor symptoms. Postural dizziness, urinary troubles, decreased sense of smell, sleep disruptions, and memory problems are examples of non-motor symptoms. Although tests may be performed based on the clinical scenario, clinical evaluation is the primary method used to diagnose Parkinson's disease. These diagnostic procedures include positron emission tomography (PET) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), genetic testing, and computed tomography (CT) scans. 

 Furthermore, Dr Vaibhav Tandon, Consultant – Neurology, Fortis Ludhiana, shares his insights, “It is vital to comprehend Parkinson's disease. Although the condition affects movement gradually, treatment provides hope. It's important to start with drugs to replace dopamine and to modify dosages as symptoms change. Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, which targets the basal ganglia, can offer relief when medication alone is insufficient. Being aware of the signs enables prompt action, improving the affected person's quality of life."