Parkinson's disease stages - UCTC clinic

Parkinson's disease stages - we can diagnose it

Some specialists divide Parkinson's disease into 5 Parkinson's disease stages. They put severity of symptoms into the basis of this classification, paying attention to such factor as the degree of disability of the person diagnosed with Parkinsons.

Prescribing Parkinsons disease treatment, the neurologist regards the stage of the patient alongside with other things.

1. First stage is named unilateral disease, when just one side of body reveals symptoms. This is a beginning stage among Parkinson's disease stages and it can continue for years. Usually neuroprotective treatment is appointed by doctors in order to thwart damage to the nervous system. There are different views on the use of vitamin E at the initial stage. The promising medication that is prescribed is Rasigiline. It can be used either separately or in combination with other medications.
2. The second stage of Parkinson's disease is called bilateral disease. As it can be understood from the name, symptoms of Parkinson's develop on two sides of the body. In order to make Parkinson's disease stages distinct even the slightest symptom on the second part of the body begins the second stage. Treatment at this stage comprises intake of dopamine agonists. Previously doctors applied dopamine agonists only at advanced stages of the disease. At present specialists stick to different view. They think that the earlier you start taking these medications, less complications you may have from such remedies as Levodopa for instance, that tend to develop at later stages.
3. As the symptoms progress further, the third stage occurs. The main characteristic feature of this stage (that marks it out from the rest Parkinson's disease stages) is a maintenance of posture with difficulty. Patient falls down more often. He feels very unstable at this stage of the disease.
4. Forth stage is the one when symptoms get especially severe. Frequent falling, postural instability are the symptoms of this stage. When patients are young and strong, the surgery can be appointed. The aim of the surgeryn is to make these symptoms less severe.
5. Stage 5 is the final stage of Parkinson's disease. The patient is not able to walk without help therefore he is wheelchair bound. Among the drugs taken is Levodopa with COMT inhibitor to make the effects durable. Other options include surgery, pallidotomy aimed at destruction of little group of brain cells. It can be helpful to overcome rigidity and stop tremors.

This is a description of Hoehn and Yahr scale of Parkinson's disease stages that was published in 1967. It is also worth adding that this scale was modified and stages 1.5, 2.5 were added to it in order to provide more detailed description of Parkinson's disease stages and determine intermediate course of the disease. Ongoing research reveals new treatments that include stem cell transplantation and newly developed medications.