Parkinson's disease
A movement disorder with tremor, stiffness and slowness, plus non motor symptoms.
About this condition
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition caused by loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain. The familiar features are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement, but the non motor symptoms often matter just as much: disturbed sleep, pain, constipation, low mood, anxiety and, later, changes in thinking.
Treatment is led by neurology or a movement disorder specialist and centres on levodopa and related medicines, adjusted carefully over time as the condition changes. Physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy all make a measurable difference. Specialist input is essential, as some medicines interact badly with Parkinson's treatment.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Levodopa combined with carbidopa or benserazide
- Dopamine agonists or MAO B inhibitors
- Physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy
- Treatment of constipation, sleep disturbance and low mood
- Apomorphine or intestinal gel therapy in advanced disease
- Deep brain stimulation in selected cases
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about parkinson's disease
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