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Chronic cerebral circulation disorder, stroke, consequences of head injuries or infectious diseases – Parkinson’s disease is often confused with these ailments. Similar symptoms make it difficult to diagnose “tremor palsy” and to start treatment of the disease in its early stages. Are there effective methods for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease? What symptoms should you pay attention to? And where is better to undergo diagnosis? Find the answers to these questions in this article.
Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s: the first 10 signs of the disease
1. Tremor
A slight tremor of the fingers, hands or chin at rest is most often the first symptom of the disease. A slight tremor in stressful situations does not count.
2. Handwriting changes
Small, illegible handwriting and the reduction of letters towards the end of the line, known as micrographia, is an alarming signal and one of the characteristic signs of Parkinson’s disease.
3. Lost sense of smell
Your favourite coffee and ripe bananas no longer exude their former aroma? Should you get a different brand? No, you should see a neurologist. Loss of smell is a characteristic symptom of the disease (in the absence of a runny nose).
4. It’s hard to walk
Feet seem to be stuck to the floor, hands do not move when walking, pain in the shoulder or hip? In the absence of injury and arthritis, these signs also indicate that it is time to make an appointment with a neurologist.
5. Constipation
You have a balanced diet and an active lifestyle, but suddenly you have trouble emptying your bowels and constipation has become a part of your life? See a specialist.
6. Muffled voice
Quiet, monotonous, trembling speech instead of loud and energetic one? About 80% of people with Parkinson’s have this kind of voice change.
7. Facial expression changes
Does your face remain serious and indifferent even in funny situations? If your face no longer shows emotion, it’s time to see a neurologist.
8. Frequent dizziness
Changing the position of the body began to be accompanied by darkening in the eyes, dizziness or even fainting – these are some of the typical symptoms of tremor palsy (in the absence of chronic hypotension).
9. Slouching
A constantly bent body posture may indicate the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
10. Problems with sleep
Involuntary sleep movements and regular insomnia are also early symptoms of the disease.
Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in the world’s leading clinics
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Methods of diagnosing Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease cannot be diagnosed by a single test. To correctly determine the cause of the symptoms that bother the patient, doctors carry out a set of procedures and rule out possible alternatives until they are left with a single correct diagnosis. This is a complex process that requires expertise and professionalism on the part of the specialist. We recommend seeking diagnosis of serious neurological diseases, such as Parkinsonism, at experienced foreign centres.
MRI diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
One of the first steps in making an accurate diagnosis is to rule out other diseases, in particular, stroke or neoplasms in the brain. For the successful realisation of this task, specialists prescribe an MRI procedure for the patient.
MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the safest and most effective method of diagnosing brain diseases. It allows doctors to detect the slightest changes in brain function, as well as tumours with a size of 2 mm.
With the help of this study, specialists are able to observe and evaluate structural abnormalities in the brain along with analysing its functions. MRI also makes it possible to trace pathological foci hidden behind bone tissue and invisible to other diagnostic methods.
To diagnose pathologies of cerebral vessels during MRI, a special contrast agent is used, which allows them to get a comprehensive picture of individual vessels and the state of the surrounding tissues.
Read: PET diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a radionuclide diagnostic method that allows detecting the smallest structural changes in the brain.
During the PET study of the brain, specialists use fluorodeoxyglucose 18 F, which “illuminates” the brain areas active at the time of the procedure.
Also used to diagnose the disease is the substance L-dopa (levodopa), which is labelled with radioactive fluorine. Levodopa is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and when used in the process of PET-diagnostics, it allows to detect dopamine deficiency – the main cause of the disease.
Personalised Parkinson’s disease treatment package
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SPECT diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) makes it possible to rule out other neurological diseases with similar symptoms. This diagnostic method is used to distinguish Parkinson’s disease from other diseases in 97% of cases.
SPECT diagnosis provides a detailed 3D image of the brain, which allows the detection of dysfunction of dopamine neurons. Decreased dopamine production is one of the defining criteria of Parkinson’s disease.
SPECT is recommended to use when the diagnosis is unclear and there is a need to rule out other diseases with similar symptomatology. Most patients who present with typical Parkinson’s disease symptomatology do not need this test.
Biomarker test
Recently, a new method of diagnosing Parkinson’s disease has emerged – the analysis of biomarkers of the disease. It consists of measuring the level of abnormal alpha-synuclein in the cerebrospinal fluid or skin of the patient. A unique feature of the test is that, unlike imaging methods, it can detect Parkinson’s disease before the first symptoms appear. A study published in the Lancet showed that 93% of patients diagnosed with the disease have abnormal levels of this biomarker.
Being a new method, biomarker testing of Parkinson’s disease is only available in a few foreign clinics.
Where is the best place to be diagnosed and treated for Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s patients often prefer to go abroad for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Affordable clinics in the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and Turkey provide effective treatment of the disease using advanced methods and improved technologies.
After treating the disease abroad, patients lose limb tremors, regain control over movements, speech, facial expressions, and improve sleep.
Today Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured completely, but experienced world-class specialists, new-generation medical equipment and advanced treatment protocols make it possible to completely eliminate its symptoms and return patients to their normal life.
Cost of complex diagnostics of Parkinson’s disease abroad
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey | from $1,500 |
| Israel | from $3,000 |
| Germany | from €2,400 |
| Czech Republic | from €2,100 |
| Spain | from €2,300 |
Summary
The first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are similar to those of chronic cerebral circulation disorder, stroke and other brain diseases. It is therefore important to undergo a thorough examination at a qualified medical centre to ensure a timely diagnosis.
The main diagnostic methods used by doctors in foreign clinics are MRI, PET and SPECT.
MRI and SPECT are performed to rule out other diseases.
PET allows detecting dopamine deficiency, which is the cause of Parkinson’s disease.
For diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease you can go to clinics in the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and Turkey.
For detailed information about innovative methods of Parkinson’s disease treatment abroad, selection of an affordable clinic and favourable package of medical services – contact MediGlobus coordinators right now.
Sources:
- 1. Parkinson’s UK
- 2. National Institute of Aging
- 3. American Parkinson Disease Association
- 4. Clinical Medicine : Update on the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease
- 5. Chinese Medical Journal: Positron emission computed tomography/single photon emission computed tomography in Parkinson disease
- 6. The Lancet: Assessment of heterogeneity among participants in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative cohort using α-synuclein seed amplification
