Hyderabad: Lack of awareness about Parkinson’s disease, says senior neurologist from Yashoda Hospitals

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but many therapies are available for improving the symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients

Hyderabad: Parkinson’s disease is the second most neurodegenerative disorder across the world with prevalence in India ranging from 15 to 43 per lakh population in various studies.

Parkinson’s disease has motor and non-motor symptoms, the motor symptoms include tremors at rest, slowness in all activities, stiffness, walking difficulty, speech, and handwriting changes while non-motor symptoms include constipation, loss of smell, urinary disturbances, memory disturbances, and pain.

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The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known and as of today, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but many therapies are available for improving the symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients.

World Parkinson’s day on April 11 commemorates the anniversary of James Parkinson, who first identified the disease.

Prof Dr Rupam Borgohain, Senior Neurologist and Director – Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Research Centre (PDMDRC), Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, said, “lack of awareness regarding the disease and the available therapies is the main obstacle, preventing patients from leading a normal and fruitful life.”

In the initial stage of Parkinson’s disease, medications almost completely improve the symptoms. As the disease advances deep brain stimulation (DBS) helps in reducing the medication required, improving the symptoms and improving the overall quality of life.

The team of Professor Dr Borgohain with Dr Rukmini Mridula, Dr Rajesh Alugolu, Dr Sruthi Kola, Dr VVSRK Prasad has vast experience spanning 25 years and more than thousands of patients in performing DBS.