Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease:

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There is unfortunately, no reliable diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease, so your doctor would have to make the diagnosis based on the presence of features characteristic of Parkinson's, only after having excluded alternative causes.

Your doctor will conduct a thorough clinical interview and perform a detailed neurological and physical examination.  Cognitive tests are also an essential part of the assessment.  There is a set of diagnostic criteria which your doctor will use, but even with this, the diagnostic accuracy is around 75 to 90%.  Definitive diagnosis is only possible at autopy.

Sometimes, doctors order tests to rule out other conditions which may mimic Parkinson's disease.

Some of these tests may include:

• Blood tests e.g. to rule out hypothyroidism
• CT scan MRI of the brain: to rule out strokes or brain tumours

Treatment of Parkinson's Disease:

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At present, there is no known treatment to stop or reverse the degeneration of nerve cells responsible for Parkinson's disease.  Treatment is thus directed at relieving troubling symptoms associated with the disease.  The decision to start treatment as well as the type and dose of treatment used would differ according to age, living situation, lifestyle, occupation etc.  As the condition progresses, adjustments to treatment type and dosages may be required to balance symptom control, side effects and treatment costs.

MEDICATION commonly used:

• Levodopa
• Dopamine Agonists
• Anticholinergic agents
• Amantadine
• Catechol-O-methyltransferease (COMT) inhibitors
• Monoamine oxidase-B Inhibitors
• Drugs to treat depression, dementia, orthostatic hypotension, erectile dysfunction etc.

SURGERY:

Surgery for the treatment of Parkinson's disease is recognized as being a valuable addition to medical therapy.  Surgery is directed at the part of the brain known as the basal ganglia, either in the form of placement of stimulating electrodes (Deep Brain Stimulation) or destruction by coagulation.  Surgery has been found to be particularly useful in the control of the motor (movement) complications of the disease.

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The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation. 
Please see your doctor for professional advice.