Health Information

There are currently no blood or laboratory tests has been shown to help in diagnosing sporadic PD. Therefore, the diagnosis is based on clinical history and neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. The early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s times may be dismissed as the effects of normal aging. The doctor may need to observe the person for some time until it is clear that the symptoms are consistently present. Doctors sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests to rule out other diseases. However, CT and MRI brain scans in people with PD usually appear normal. Since many other diseases have similar features but require different treatments, it is essential to an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible so that patients can receive appropriate treatment.

Each year nearly 50,000 Americans diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but getting an accurate count of the number of cases may be impossible because many people in the early stages of the disease assume their symptoms are due to normal aging and not seek help care. Furthermore, diagnosis is sometimes difficult and uncertain because other conditions can cause Parkinson’s symptoms and that there is no definitive test for the disease. Sometimes doctors tell people with Parkinson’s who have other disorders, and people with Parkinson-like diseases can be misdiagnosed as having the disease. (more…)