| Parkinson's disease has been classified into five | | | | Symptoms at this stage include postural instability and |
| stages by Hoehn and Yahr. Their classification is | | | | falling down.Traditionally, this is the stage at which |
| based on the severity of symptoms and the degree | | | | dopamine agonists or Levodopa was prescribed, but |
| of disability the patient experiences.When prescribing | | | | as mentioned above, some of these drugs are now |
| treatment, the neurologist will take into account the | | | | used at earlier stages itself.Stage 4 occurs when |
| stage at which the patient is perceived to be, among | | | | there is an increase in the severity of symptoms |
| other things.Stage 1 is called unilateral disease. The | | | | including postural instability and falling. Surgery is one |
| term means that only one side of the body shows | | | | option for treatment at this stage. Surgery can |
| symptoms of Parkinson's disease.This is considered | | | | alleviate some of the symptoms. However, this is |
| an early stage of the illness and may last for several | | | | generally recommended only for relatively young |
| years. Neuroprotective treatment is common at this | | | | patients who are in good health otherwise.Stage 5 is |
| stage. This treatment aims to prevent further | | | | the most advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. The |
| damage to the nervous system.Vitamin E was used | | | | patient is usually wheelchair bound. Walking is possible |
| at this stage, but many researchers are of the | | | | only with assistance.Levodopa continues to be a |
| opinion that this is not very effective. A selective | | | | prescribed drug at this stage, along with a COMT |
| MAO-B inhibitor called Rasigiline has shown | | | | inhibitor, which ensures that the effects last longer. |
| promise.Stage 2 of Parkinson's disease is labeled | | | | Surgery may also be an option, including pallidotomy, |
| bilateral disease. Meaning, symptoms of Parkinson's | | | | which destroys a small group of brain cells. This helps |
| now show up on both sides of the body. The illness | | | | avoid the rigidity often experienced with Parkinson's |
| is considered to be at Stage 2 even if there is an | | | | disease and may stop tremors as well.Another |
| insignificant symptom (an occasional tremor, for | | | | possible treatment is deep brain stimulation, where |
| example) on the side of the body that was | | | | electrodes are implanted into the brain tissue and |
| symptom-free earlier.Recent therapies at this stage | | | | stimulated with low level electric currents.The |
| include use of dopamine agonists. Till some years ago, | | | | symptoms of Parkinson's disease progress as the |
| dopamine agonists were used only at later stages of | | | | patient moves from one stage to the next. Ongoing |
| the disease. Currently, researchers are of the view | | | | research is producing new treatments including stem |
| that if such treatment is started earlier, complications | | | | cell implants and new drugs.Jane Peters is a |
| from using drugs like Levodopa may not arise at later | | | | researcher and has written on several topics. For |
| stages.The disease is said to be at stage 3 when | | | | must-have articles on dopamine's role in Parkinson's |
| symptoms show progression and especially when the | | | | disease and on high blood pressure, see the |
| patient has difficulty in maintaining their posture. | | | | foregoing links. |