| nson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative | | | | It is worthwhile to note that there are several |
| illness that affects about one percent of men and | | | | conditions that have similar characteristics to |
| women over the age of 50. Despite tremendous | | | | Parkinson's but that do not respond to |
| advances in drugs and techniques to manage the | | | | ant-Parkinsonian drugs. During the course of surgery, |
| symptoms of Parkinson's disease, not everyone is | | | | a small hole will be drilled in the skull and an electric |
| able to benefit from these improvements. Parkinson's | | | | probe inserted. The probe is used to destroy a small |
| disease is a highly individualized condition that attacks | | | | part of the portion of the brain known as the global |
| each patient differently. With the promise of stem | | | | pallidus. Parkinson's experts think that an overactive |
| cell therapy on the horizon, coupled with the general | | | | global pallidus affects people who suffer from the |
| effectiveness of existing drug treatments, including | | | | disease, and that by destroying it, medication-induced |
| the commonly-administered levodopa, most | | | | rigidity and dyskinesia may be reduced. Pallidotomies |
| Parkinson's sufferers are able to cope with their | | | | have been used since the 1990s. A similar procedure, |
| disease. There are, however, a number of cases of | | | | called a thalamotomy, is used to destroy cells in the |
| rapidly-progressing or unusually severe Parkinson's | | | | thalamus. This surgery can be helpful in treating |
| that necessitate surgery as the best treatment | | | | debilitating hand and arm tremors. A less destructive, |
| option. Like drug therapy, surgery may decrease the | | | | but nonetheless risky, surgical option is called deep |
| effects of symptoms such as tremors and mobility | | | | brain stimulation. In deep brain stimulation an electrode |
| problems, but is not a cure. | | | | is implanted into the brain. The electrode transmits |
| Is surgery for Parkinson's the best option for you? | | | | electrical pulses to stimulate the brain while also |
| There is no simple answer. Parkinson's surgery is brain | | | | blocking the signals that cause Parkinson's symptoms. |
| surgery, which by its very nature is highly risky. | | | | Think of it as a sort of pacemaker for the brain. |
| There is always the very real potential for permanent | | | | Compared to other surgical options, deep brain |
| brain damage. If, however, all other non-invasive | | | | stimulation is a relatively new procedure that has |
| treatment options have been ineffective, doctor and | | | | been found to be helpful in improving motor function. |
| patient may determine that surgery is the best | | | | Surgery is not the answer for everyone. It is risky |
| available option to manage the Parkinson's symptoms. | | | | and therefore should be used as a last alternative. In |
| A pallidotomy may be required for Parkinson's | | | | addition to the health aspects and risks, prospective |
| patients with an especially aggressive case of the | | | | Parkinson's surgical patients may also have to weigh |
| disease. It may also be selected for those among the | | | | financial considerations when deciding whether or not |
| small percentage of patients who do not respond to | | | | to have surgery. All of the surgical procedures are |
| medication. If the latter is the case, it might be | | | | costly to administer and may not be covered by all |
| worthwhile to get a second opinion for your | | | | health care insurance plans. |
| Parkinson's diagnosis before going ahead with surgery. | | | | |