Parkinson's Disease Health Center

There are no lab or blood tests that can help your doctor know whether you have Parkinson’s. But you may have tests to help your doctor rule out other diseases that could be causing your symptoms. For example, you might have an MRI to look for signs of a stroke or brain tumor.

How is it treated?

At this time, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. But there are several types of medicines that can control the symptoms and make the disease easier to live with.

You may not even need treatment if your symptoms are mild. Your doctor may wait to prescribe medicines until your symptoms start to get in the way of your daily life. Your doctor will adjust your medicines as your symptoms get worse. You may need to take several medicines to get the best results.

Levodopa (also called L-dopa) is the best drug for controlling symptoms of Parkinson's disease. But it can cause problems if you use it for a long time or at a high dose. Sometimes doctors use other medicines to treat people in the early stages of the disease. This lets them delay the use of levodopa. But other medicines have more side effects and don't control symptoms as well as levodopa. And the long-term problems caused by medicine are the same, no matter what medicine is used first.¹ The decision to start taking medicine, and which medicine to take, will be different for each person with Parkinson's disease. Your doctor will be able to help you make these choices.

In some cases, a treatment called deep brain stimulation may also be used. For this treatment, a surgeon places wires in your brain. The wires carry tiny electrical signals to the parts of the brain that control movement. These little signals can help those parts of the brain work better.

There are many things you can do at home that can help you stay as independent and healthy as possible. Eat healthy foods. Get the rest you need. Make wise use of your energy. Get some exercise every day. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can also help.

How will Parkinson's disease affect your life?

Finding out that you have a long-term, progressive disease changes your life. It is normal to have a wide range of feelings. You may feel angry, afraid, sad, or worried about what lies ahead. It may help to keep a few things in mind:

• No one can know for sure how your disease will progress. But usually this disease progresses slowly. Some people live for many years with only minor symptoms, such as a tremor in one hand.
• Many people who have Parkinson's disease can and do keep working for years. As the disease gets worse, you may need to change how you work. You can get support to learn ways to adapt.
• It is important to take an active role in your health care. Learn all you can about the disease. Find a doctor you trust and can work with. Go to all your appointments, and get all the treatment your doctor suggests.
• Depression is common in people who have Parkinson’s. If you feel very sad or hopeless, talk to your doctor or see a counselor. Antidepressant medicines can help.
• It can make a big difference to know that you are not alone. Ask your doctor about Parkinson’s support groups, or look for online groups or message boards.
• Parkinson’s affects more than just the person who has it. It also affects your loved ones. Be sure to include them in your decisions. Help them learn about the disease and get the support they need.

Frequently Asked Questions