Parkinson’s Surgery in Mumbai

Parkinson’s disease distresses the nerve cells in the brain that create dopamine. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease comprise muscle stiffness, tremors, and alterations in speech and gait. Post diagnosis, Parkinson’s treatment in Mumbai can help alleviate symptoms.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that primarily affects dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Tremor, stiffness or rigidity in the legs and arms, slowness of movement, and/or imbalance are symptoms that people with Parkinson’s disease may experience.

In the early stages, patients may notice a minor trembling of the hands or difficulties walking. The symptoms may worsen over time, resulting in slurred speech and a variety of physical disabilities.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease has the same symptoms. The symptoms differ depending on the person and stage of the disease.

Some of the common Parkinson’s disease symptoms are:

• Shaking
• Handwriting might become unstable and shaky.
• Trembling of the jaw, head, hands, or legs may worsen when the patient is resting and become better when the patient moves.
• Rigidity or stiffness in the limbs and the trunk.
• Loss of balance or unstable posture.
• Stooping posture.
• Bradykinesia – slowness in movements.
• Problems with eating and swallowing, digestion, and urination.
• Skin and sleeping issues.

How is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?

Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed in a variety of ways. A complete neurological examination is required to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, best done by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. Many illnesses can mimic the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Hence, a thorough clinical examination and proper testing (blood tests, brain imaging) are required to rule them out.

How is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?

Although there is no permanent cure for Parkinson’s disease, the patient can live a normal life with the help of medications that control the symptoms. Medicines that can reduce symptoms and prevent them from getting worse are used to treat this disease. Parkinson’s disease is primarily treated with oral medications. However, oral medications may become less effective as the disease progresses. The patient may require invasive treatment such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery or infusional medicines for symptom management.

Surgery Options for Parkinson’s Disease

Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney is an expert, competent, and one of the best neurosurgeons in Mumbai, with an excellent record of successful brain surgeries on patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Brain surgeries for Parkinson’s disease enable these patients to better motor control their movements. In most cases, they are performed after the patients have been on medication and need additional help in motor control in terms of stability, control, and balance.

The neurosurgeon focuses on relieving the involuntary movements of Parkinson’s patients. They diagnose the onset of dyskinesia, which refers to the writhing and erratic movements of the patient’s limbs, face, and trunk region. These movements could be rapid jerks or extended and slow muscle spasms.

The neurosurgeon will conduct an in-depth diagnosis and evaluation of the condition of the patient. The decision to go ahead with the surgery is carefully evaluated regarding the patient’s symptoms, overall health, and the potential benefits of the brain surgery.

The neurosurgery for a Parkinson’s patient will be performed on the deep brain structures, i.e., the thalamus, globuspallidus, and subthalamic nucleus, which control the patient’s movement. The three significant surgeries for Parkinson’s viz. Pallidotomy, Thalamotomy, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).