Having Parkinson’s Treated By A Specialist Can Bring Better Outcomes - Dr. Shivam Mittal

1. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder in which certain parts of the central nervous system and brain degenerate, resulting in involuntary movement and shaking of the limbs. This constant shaking although not life threatening, definitely alters the quality of life of the patient. And if the patient is seriously mentally affected by this constant shaking, feeling embarrassed in public, it may result in depression, which may worsen his life condition. To prevent all of this, it is vital that such patients are treated by specialists – a movement disorders specialist in Bangalore, like Dr. Shivam Mittal. Although such specialists are not well-known to the public, but with the aging population encountering more and more of Parkinson’s and other similar disorders, the need for them is becoming more apparent. Now, you would say that because Parkinson’s is a neurological condition, why not let it be treated by a neurologist? While neurologists are well-versed with all kinds of neurological conditions, movement disorders specialists gain additional education of an year or two in the movement disorders field, thus making them a level higher than neurologists to treat such conditions. In fact, a study has confirmed that when a Parkinson’s patient

2. is cared for by a movement disorders specialist, his quality of life improves, and mortality drops. It is very important that the brain is studied at every stage of motor planning and execution to see how it behaves. This helps to shed m ore light on how the whole system works together. Movement disorders specialists are trained well to do that. And, once the correct area in the brain is located, permanent electrodes which work as a cardiac pacemaker are implanted within to control the neurons that cause tremors or slow movements. A neurotransmitter is installed in the chest area which is connected to these electrodes to send signals to the brain and stop any involuntary movements. This is the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery that is offered to Parkinson’s patients, who are unable to cope up with their condition under prescribed medications and drugs. However, this surgery is invasive and required the electrodes to be replaced every few years, as recommended by the surgeon. A movement disorders specialist will always first try to treat the patients through medications and injections. Only if the patient doesn’t respond to them, or if the condition of the patient is very severe, will he be retorted to the above mentioned surgery. Drugs like Levodopa and Carbidopa are the most common ones prescribed to patients, depending upon their condition. A further level involves injecting the patients’ muscles with botulinum toxin to control the involuntary movement of the muscles. This toxin keeps its effect on the patients for somewhere between 3-6 months, which is why patients have to be re-injected every few months to gain control over the ailment. So, whatever it is – whether medications, injections, or surgeries – you always must be treated by a movement disorders specialist in Bangalorerather than physicians or neurologists for this peculiar disorder to get the best quality recovery and care for your condition. Although there is no permanent cure to Parkinson’s yet, which is why people have to undergo medications, injections, and surgeries every few months, movement disorder specialists are on the lookout for various other options to make life better for Parkinson’s patients. It is expected that the next decade will definitely see a lot many breakthroughs in medication management of the disease, which will take the fight against Parkinson’s to an entirely different level. For more information, visit: http://www.parkinsonsdiseasespecialist.com/