Mimicking Parkinsons disease

Despite Parkinsons disease having very distinctive features, it is quite a difficult disease to diagnose, especially when it is in its early stages. Unfortunately there are no specific tests which doctors can do to determine a definite diagnosis of the disease and regrettably especially in it's early stages it can be mistaken for other diseases. If and when this happens, it delays or prevents the appropriate treatment being administered in the quickest possible time.

The problem with diagnosing Parkinsons disease accurately is simply that the symptoms are not always as conclusive as doctors would like them to be, Indeed there are suggestions that up to 25% of those people presently being treated for the disease could have been wrongly diagnosed and are therefore receiving inappropriate treatment. Usually patients who are suspected of suffering from Parkinsons disease are given tests to ensure they are not suffering from a disorder that can be diagnosed using usual methods such as CT scanning, urine sampling X-ray and blood tests etc. However just because these tests may have an inconclusive answer, doesn't always mean the person is definitely suffering from the disease. Unfortunately some doctors think this is the case, and will automatically make a diagnosis.

Tests that can be done to check for Parkinson's disease include systematic neurological assessments that include testing the person's reflexes, balance, muscle strength gait and general movement. Because there are a variety of neurological disorders that have similar characteristics to Parkinsons disease, it's not really surprising that the disease is so often misdiagnosed. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with the disease, it doesn't always hurt to ask your doctor for a second opinion or even better to ask to be referred to a doctor who specialises in this type of disease. An early correct diagnosis of the disease is often the key to the sufferer being able to maintain their independence and a good quality of life for quite a long time.

Some neurological conditions that are often confused with Parkinsons disease include

• Multiple system atrophy
• Supranuclear palsy
• Benign Essential Tremor
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Huntington’s disease
• Striato-Nigral Degeneration
• Brain tumour

Remaining as independent as possible is essential to the wellbeing of most sufferers of the disease, and ensuring the symptoms are kept to a minimum by both a correct diagnosis and treatment is the key to achieving this.

Also read our article about Is it Parkinsons Disease?