Parkinson’s Disease Treatment at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, over 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with the condition each year. This amounts to over one million annual cases.
Our team of expert neurologists, movement disorder specialists, and physicians utilize state-of-the-art technology, extensive training, and medical expertise to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease. By examining each patient’s symptoms, our doctors tailor individualized treatment plans that focus on treating pain, alleviating the neurological issues, and restoring mobility.
Late diagnosis and misdiagnosis are the two biggest reasons why Parkinson’s worsens over time. If left untreated, the disease may cause chronic impairment, hallucinations, and excruciating pain. With timely detection, diagnosis, and treatment, patients can resume normal activities without experiencing the terminal stages of the disorder.
Parkinson’s Diagnosis at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
Our extensive diagnostic process considers the patient’s age, lifestyle, medication use, symptoms, and medical history into account to create a personal diagnosis. In addition, patients will also undergo a neurological and physical examination as well as an imaging scan which examines the brain’s dopamine system. Doctors may order additional imaging scans including MRI and CT scans to rule out other conditions and disorders.
Parkinson’s Treatment at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
Once diagnosed, your treatment plan will be executed to help you resume regular activities without the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s. You may be referred to a physical therapist and speech-language pathologist to assist with the treatment. Our Parkinson’s disease treatment may include the following:
- Medication: One of the most effective and non-invasive treatment plans for Parkinson’s, medication helps patients stabilize mobility and gain control over tremors.
Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that are responsible for the production of dopamine. This essential chemical messenger ensures coordinated and seamless muscle movements. By increasing or substituting low dopamine levels, medication normalizes brain activity, thereby stabilizing motor fluctuations.
You may be prescribed levodopa, dopamine agonists, amantadine, anticholinergics, or monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors depending on the severity and classification of your condition.
- Surgery: While uncommon, surgery may be required in extreme cases. We perform deep brain stimulation (DBS), lesion surgery, and neural grafting of tissue transplants.
- Lifestyle changes: In combination with other treatment plans, lifestyle changes help patients maintain or restore mobility. You may be prescribed lifestyle changes that range from regular exercise to dietary changes.
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy: Physical therapy is extremely effective in enhancing musculoskeletal movement, agility, and health. When combined with occupational and speech therapy, it helps patients gain relief from the multifaceted symptoms of Parkinson’s.
- Rock Steady Boxing: Our boxing-style fitness program enhances flexibility, strength, balance, and rigorousness. It’s commonly prescribed alongside medication.
Should I Get Tested for Parkinson’s?
Patients experiencing two or more of the following motor and non-motor symptoms should consult our doctors for diagnosis and treatment:
- Tremors
- Slowed movement
- Anosmia (Loss of the sense of smell)
- Stiffness in the limbs
- Changes in voice
- Deteriorating posture and balance
- Constipation
- Illegible handwriting
- Rigid muscles
- Restricted arm swinging while walking
- Sleep irregularities
Schedule a Consultation with Our Specialists and Physicians at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
Find out more about our diagnostic and treatment plan for Parkinson’s by making an appointment with one of the physicians below. We serve patients across Southeast Texas—including South Houston, Clear Lake, Webster, League City, and Galveston.
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