Diagnosing Parkinson's
	St. John's Regional Chapter Newfoundland and Labrador
	The Parkinson's Foundation of Canada

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How is Parkinson's Diagnosed?

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There are no x-rays or tests which confirm the diagnosis. Neurologists diagnose Parkinson's by taking a thorough medical history and doing a careful clinical examination. Often tests are done to rule out other conditions which resemble Parkinson's.

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Treatment

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Treatment is needed to correct the chemical imbalance. Drugs alleviate the symptoms but do not halt the progression of Parkinson's. As the symptoms increase, more medication is needed. While treatment does enable people to function better, it is not perfect and may cause side effects. Ongoing research is focused on finding more effective treatments.

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Rehabilitation

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• Occupational Therapy is aimed at promoting independence and improving all aspects of functional ability by addressing the following areas:
  • adaptive equipment
  • safety promotion
  • energy conservation
  • stress management
  • improving mobility

• Physical Therapy is aimed at helping in the following areas:
  • assessing mobility, balance and posture
  • prescribing a specific exercise programme
  • analyzing walking problems and helping correct or minimize difficulties

• Speech Language Pathology is aimed at helping in the following areas:
  • evaluating speech problems
  • designing a therapy programme to meet individual needs

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Return To Home Page If you have questions or comments contact Anne Rutherford at rutherford@nf.sympatico.ca Website maintained by Janet Paterson Last updated on 28 June 2000

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