There is no particular hurry to begin treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's. If treatment is not started immediately, then the person is not disadvantaged in any way. In fact, some specialists suggest that a person waits until their symptoms are causing some difficulties with their daily living before they start treatment.

At this time, no medication or drug has been shown to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s. A variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Various physical therapies and muscle-strengthening exercises can also be beneficial in reducing the most troublesome symptoms of Parkinson’s.

In some cases, surgery is an appropriate treatment. There is no standard or “best” treatment for Parkinson’s, and various treatments are available in the following categories:

 Avoid the Risks
 Therapy and Life Style
 Medications and Drugs
 Surgery

When physical therapy and lifestyle changes are not enough to combat or reduce the effects of Parkinson's, your doctor will likely recommend certain medications, either alone or in combination. Eventually, as the disease progresses, a surgical procedure may be required.

Avoid the Risks

By reducing or eliminating as many of the risk factors as possible (for example, see section “6.4 Exposure to Pesticides and Herbicides” above), it should be possible to greatly reduce your chances of developing Parkinson's as a result of these causes.


Therapy and Life Style

Physical therapy and lifestyle changes should be considered the primary or front-line defense against Parkinson's. When physical therapy and lifestyle changes are not enough to combat or reduce the effects of Parkinson's, your doctor will likely recommend certain medications, either alone or in combination. Eventually, as the disease progresses, a surgical procedure may be required.

The following therapies and life style changes can help:

 Healthy Eating
 Exercise
 Physical Therapy
 Sleep
 Speech Therapy

Healthy Eating

A healthy diet and regular exercise are beneficial treatments for many health issues, and Parkinson’s is no exception to this rule. If you are suffering from Parkinson’s, ensure that you eat healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. These foods contain natural anti-oxidants that help protect against free radical damage. They are also high in fiber, which is important for helping prevent constipation.

If you take a fiber supplement, such as psyllium powder, Metamucil or Citrucel, be sure to introduce it gradually and drink plenty of fluids daily. Otherwise, your constipation actually may become worse. If you find that fiber helps your symptoms, use it on a regular basis for the best results.

Exercise

Regular exercise is extremely important for people with Parkinson's Disease, because it provides a number of important benefits, including improved mobility, balance, range of motion, and emotional well-being.
Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend a formal exercise program, but any physical activity, including walking, swimming or gardening, is beneficial. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging and dancing, are also beneficial.

Keep in mind that your energy level may go up and down as a result of your medications, so you should pace yourself and select the best times for exercise. For example, if you are tired, try doing one part of your exercise routine at one time of day and doing another routine later in the day. Select times to exercise when your medicines are working well and you feel strong.
Be sure to warm up and stretch before and after you exercise, as this will help prevent stiffness while also improving your flexibility and balance.
Parkinson's Disease can disturb your sense of balance and physical co-ordination, making it difficult to walk and move normally. Be careful to keep within your limits and avoid falls.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be extremely beneficial for people with Parkinson's Disease in all stages of the disease and as the disease progresses. Physical therapy can help improve mobility, range of motion, and muscle tone.

Even though specific exercises cannot stop the progress of the disease, improving muscle strength can help you feel more confident and capable. A physical therapist can also work with you to improve your walking gait, posture, and balance.

Sleep

The brain recharges its dopamine levels overnight, so a good night's sleep is beneficial for Parkinson's sufferers. Most people with Parkinson's feel that they have good mornings and tend to deteriorate throughout the day. Most people also find that a good night's sleep leads to day with less pronounced symptoms of Parkinson's.

Speech Therapy

For many people suffering from Parkinson’s, working with a speech pathologist can help improve problems with speaking and swallowing.

Medications and Drugs

Parkinson's Disease occurs when the dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra are damaged or destroyed. An obvious treatment is to supplement the missing dopamine with medication.
Unfortunately, treatment with dopamine itself isn't possible, because dopamine doesn't cross the body's blood-brain barrier. The tightly packed cells in the walls of the brain's capillaries prevent certain substances from crossing into the brain, including dopamine. As a result, dopamine cannot be directly administered to a patient to boost their dopamine levels to reduce or reverse the effects of Parkinson’s.

However, a range of other medications and treatments can be used to treat Parkinson’s.
Medications can also be used to manage problems cause by various Parkinson’s symptoms, including walking, general movement, and tremors by increasing the brain's supply of dopamine.

For many people with Parkinson's, the initial improvement following treatment with drugs and medicines can be dramatic. However, over time the benefits of drugs frequently diminish or become less consistent, although symptoms can usually still be fairly well controlled. Because medications may become less effective over time, your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes, such as physical therapy, a healthy diet, and exercise.

For many Parkinson’s medications, the dosage needs to be adjusted over time to improve the effectiveness of the drugs, and/or to manage the side-effects of the drugs. Your doctor will work with you to design a treatment program that best suits your situation.