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: An MRI or CT scan is used to look for signs of a stroke or brain tumor.
Testing for Parkinson's Disease
There is no lab or imaging test that is recommended or definitive for Parkinson's disease. However, in 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an imaging scan called the DaTscan. This technique allows doctors to see detailed pictures of the brain's dopamine system.
Tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement are all common early symptoms of Parkinson's – but there are also other signs to be aware of. Sleep and night-time problems are common in Parkinson's. People with Parkinson's are more likely to experience insomnia due to certain symptoms which can disrupt sleep.
To diagnose Parkinson's, a doctor will take a neurological history and perform an in-office exam. Although there are no standard diagnostic tests, some doctors may order imaging testing to help confirm a PD diagnosis in the early stages of the disease.
It's possible for non-motor symptoms to start occurring up to a decade before any motor symptoms emerge. Years can pass before symptoms are obvious enough to make a person to go to the doctor.
Multiple system atrophy – the cousin of Parkinson's disease. MSA is a degenerative brain disorder that impairs the body's functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, bladder function and is related to Parkinson's disease.
One clear risk is age: Although most people with Parkinson's first develop the disease after age 60, about 5% to 10% experience onset before the age of 50. Early-onset forms of Parkinson's are often, but not always, inherited, and some forms have been linked to specific alterations in genes.
Scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD).
There isn't a specific test to diagnose Parkinson's disease. A doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
The three “cardinal” movement, or motor, symptoms are slowness of movement (bradykinesia), stiffness (rigidity) and resting tremor. Not everyone has all three symptoms and not everyone with Parkinson's has tremor. Some people also have walking problems or difficulty with balance and coordination.
Parkinson's disease most commonly begins with a tremor in one hand but can also cause limb stiffness or slowness of movement without tremor. Or, perhaps, someone else may notice that you're not swinging your arm normally as you walk.
It should be noted that the life expectancy of Parkinson's disease can be normal or near normal. However, a number of factors can shorten life expectancy. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, patients usually live between 10 and 20 years after diagnosis.
Fox Foundation (MJFF), confirmed that the technique – known as α-synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) – is highly accurate at identifying Parkinson's disease patients, and classifying them based on genetic and clinical markers.
“Movement, especially exercises that encourage balance and reciprocal patterns [movements that require coordination of both sides of your body], can actually slow progression of the disease,” she says.
Berries, green leafy vegetables, eggs, fish and oil have neuroprotective properties which can reduce cognitive decline and improve memory function. Yogurt, kefir and raw sauerkraut, natural probiotics, can also increase natural dopamine production.
Most people diagnosed with PD are age 60 years or older, however, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50. Approximately 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD, but given that many individuals go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed the actual number is likely much higher.
The main risk factor is age, because Parkinson's disease is most commonly found in adults over the age of 50 (although diagnoses can occur in much younger people). Men also have a higher risk of Parkinson's disease than women.
Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women. Genetics. Individuals with a parent or sibling who is affected have approximately two times the chance of developing Parkinson's.
Stage One. During this initial stage, the person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only. Changes in posture, walking and facial expressions occur.
In most cases, symptoms change slowly, with substantive progression taking place over the space of many months or years. Many people with PD have symptoms for at least a year or two before a diagnosis is actually made. The longer symptoms are present, the easier it is to predict how a person with PD will do over time.
You may not need any treatment during the early stages of Parkinson's disease as symptoms are usually mild. But you may need regular appointments with your specialist so your condition can be monitored. You might be offered a device to wear at home that monitors your symptoms.
Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. Nerve cells in this part of the brain are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine.
'Parkinsonian gait' is a distinctive, less steady walk that arises from changes in posture, slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and a shortened stride.