Parkinson's disease
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Symptoms
The symptoms below may occur.
Motor symptoms:
- Tremor (tremor) at rest
- Stiffness
- Slower and smaller movement
- Poor posture/reduced balance
Non-motor symptoms:
- Mood problems (depressed feelings,...)
- Cognitive problems (attention, memory,...)
- Autonomic functions (sleep problems, smelling, incontinence, constipation,...)
Cause
People with Parkinson's disease have a decreased release of dopamine. This makes automatic movements more difficult and makes movements smaller. A clear cause of this is not yet known. Environmental factors (pesticides, industrialization) and aging may play a small role. The disease is more common in men than in women. The first symptoms usually occur between the 50th and 65th years of life.
Diagnosis
A neurologist makes a determination based on your symptoms. To rule out other diseases a DAT scan can be performed. This involves injecting you with a slightly radioactive substance that spreads throughout the body. On the scan, the radioactive radiation is measured and disorders can be revealed. In this way the disease can also be detected before the symptoms are pronounced.
Treatment
In our rehabilitation center, patients can receive treatment upon referral from the rehabilitation physician. The multidisciplinary rehabilitation program consists of 30 sessions of occupational therapy and physical therapy. Rehabilitation can make you experience less disease-related symptoms. Research shows that increased exercise can still cause dopamine to be released in the brain. Treatment is always tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Want to know more about your rehabilitation?
There is an entire team ready to guide you after your diagnosis. Learn more about the neurological rehabilitation program through the link below.