Trusted Parkinson’s Disease Treatment in Central California
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system condition that disrupts the brain’s ability to control normal body movement. While there is no cure for this movement disorder, Dignity Health Central California doctors focus on treatments that reduce the severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
You will meet with an experienced neurologist to develop a treatment plan personalized for your specific symptoms. Use our Find a Doctor tool for skilled Parkinson’s disease treatment in Central California. We offer advanced neurological treatments and therapies at our Bakersfield locations, including:
Personalized Parkinson’s Disease Treatment at Dignity Health Central California
The combined clinical excellence of our neurologists and neurosurgeons means we offer you best-practice medications and surgeries for Parkinson’s disease.
Medications
One of the problems with Parkinson’s disease is a low level of dopamine in the brain. Parkinson’s medications have the effect of increasing dopamine levels, which improves the physical symptoms of the disease. Medication therapy controls many symptoms and remains the primary treatment for most people.
Parkinson’s disease medications include:
- Amantadine reduces involuntary movements, such as muscle twitching.
- Anticholinergic drugs decrease the activity of a specific neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which reduces tremor and similar symptoms.
- Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. A combination levodopa/carbidopa drug allows your doctor to prescribe a lower dose of levodopa, which helps reduce side effects.
- MAO-B inhibitor and COMT inhibitor drugs prevent the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s is a functional neurosurgical procedure that also shows promise for other movement disorders. The DBS device sends painless electrical pulses to a specific part of your brain, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that are causing tremor and other movement symptoms.
During the procedure, a surgeon places a tiny electrode in your brain and connects it to a small device implanted under the skin near your collarbone. DBS is a complex procedure, but patients who respond well to it enjoy a better quality of life.
You may also benefit from complementary therapies for Parkinson’s, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Considering Your Treatment Options
At Dignity Health Central California, our doctors know that every patient is different and we aim to personalize your treatment plan. Your doctor will explain all of your treatment options and make recommendations based on the benefits and risks and your preferences. If DBS is an option, you will meet with one of our highly skilled neurosurgeons to discuss the procedure in detail.
We specialize in complex neurological conditions and procedures. Talk to your doctor to learn more about neurological care.
Dignity Health Central California neurologists work as a team with other providers to deliver high-quality Parkinson’s disease treatment in Bakersfield, and Stockton, CA.