Parkinson's Disease

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease can be tricky. That’s why it’s essential that an experienced neurologist does your assessment. In some cases, specialised scans are also required. There are other conditions with similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish them from Parkinson’s.

What to expect at your appointment

When you meet with us for the first time, you’ll talk with a neurologist who specialises in movement disorders. They’ll ask about your medical history and your symptoms. Then, they’ll perform a neurological physical examination, which evaluates your movement and other cognitive skills.

Providers also sometimes need blood tests and imaging tests to rule out other conditions that might mimic Parkinson’s. You may have:

• MRI scan
• DAT scan (dopamine transporter scan)

If Parkinson’s disease runs in your family or you have early-onset Parkinson’s (before age 50), your consultant may also recommend genetic testing.

Parkinson’s disease is a treatable condition. Your specialist can recommend personalised lifestyle changes and therapy options to help you manage your symptoms and maintain your function, independence and quality of life.

Parkinson’s is also a condition that progresses slowly and changes over time, so lifelong follow-up is important. This allows your care team to adjust your treatments and offer guidance as your needs change.

Treating Parkinson’s is like putting together a puzzle. The puzzle pieces are things like medication, physical, speech and occupational therapy, emotional support and exercise. Each of these pieces has to fit together in a way that works best for you. It takes time and patience to get it just right.

Medications

With Parkinson’s, you don’t have enough dopamine in your brain, which affects your ability to control how you move. As a result, movements become slower and stiffer, and tremors may develop. Dopamine is a chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter, sending messages between the nerves in your brain and the rest of your body. Some medications pass into your brain and become dopamine. Others mimic what dopamine does in your brain or increase the chemical in other ways.

You can take most medications orally or as skin patches. In some cases, your consultant may also recommend infusion and pump-based therapies (Produodopa^®, Duodopa^™ or apomorphine) or surgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Rehabilitation therapy

Your treatment plan may also include sessions with our expert physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. These rehabilitation specialists can help you manage the physical challenges of Parkinson’s:

• Physiotherapy: Physical difficulties are a hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Physiotherapy can help with walking, balance, regaining muscle strength and range of motion. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for Parkinson’s disease. Your physiotherapist will design a plan that gets you moving safely and according to your abilities.
• Speech therapy: Parkinson’s can have a profound effect on your speech. You may talk very slowly and quietly or mumble. Or you might do just the opposite and talk rapidly or stutter. Problems with cognition can also make it hard to find the right words. You might even have trouble swallowing. Speech therapy can help with all these things and more.
• Occupational therapy: Tremors can make small movements, like writing, setting the table, holding a glass or taking cash out of your wallet difficult. Occupational therapy can help you find new ways to do daily tasks so you can stay as independent as possible. They can also recommend assistive devices and show you how to make your environment safer at home and at work.

PKG Monitor

This device can be worn like a wristwatch for a week at a time to track Parkinson’s movement symptoms. This helps us assess how well your symptoms are being managed and can guide treatment decisions. Your consultant will talk with you about whether one of these monitors would be helpful.

Other treatments

In addition to movement difficulties, Parkinson’s can also affect thinking and memory, disrupt sleep and cause symptoms such as constipation, pain, restless legs syndrome, urinary problems and low blood pressure when standing, which may lead to fainting. If you experience any of these things, your consultant can offer tailored treatments for each.

Paying for Private Parkinson’s Disease Care at Cleveland Clinic London

The fees for your treatment at Cleveland Clinic London will vary depending on your specific medical needs. For quick access to our leading Parkinson’s specialists, we offer the option to self-pay. You may also use private medical insurance. Have questions? Please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to discuss the financial side of your care.

What’s Next?

At Cleveland Clinic London, we understand the impact that Parkinson’s disease can have on your life. Finding the right treatment or combination of therapies may take time, and symptoms can change as the condition progresses. Our expert team is here to help you navigate each stage of the journey with personalised and compassionate care.