Parkinson's Disease: Treatment in Switzerland

Parkinson's Disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects a person's movement and can significantly reduce their quality of life. Treatment of this condition requires a comprehensive approach and specialized medical care. In Switzerland, thanks to advanced technologies and a high level of medical expertise, patients with Parkinson's disease have access to advanced diagnostic methods and effective treatment.

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Deep in the brain is a cluster of nerve cells known as the basal ganglia. These are the ones that help control body movements. In a person with Parkinson's disease, these nerve cells are damaged and do not function properly.

The cells of the basal ganglia produce a brain chemical called dopamine to send messages to other parts of the brain to coordinate movement. In Parkinson's disease, dopamine levels are low, so the body doesn't receive the correct signals. The person develops tremors in the hands and feet, impaired gait, and coordination of movements.This disease usually develops gradually and can significantly limit a person's ability to live independently.

What Causes Parkinson's Disease?

The disease develops due to the loss of neurons that produce dopamine - a chemical that is responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells. Factors that can negatively affect nerve cells include:

• The natural aging process;
• Brain infections;
• Long-term use of neuroleptic drugs;
• Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
• Head injuries;
• Brain tumors;
• Exposure to toxic substances.

However, the exact causes of the disease are not fully understood. It is believed to be related to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors

How is Parkinson's Disease Diagnosed in Swiss Clinics

The medical examination may include the following diagnostic procedures:

• Assessment of the patient's medical and family history;
• General physical examination;
• Tests for muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes;
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to exclude other possible causes of the symptoms;
• Assessment of dopamine levels in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Other methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), genetic mutation tests, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, may be used to clarify the diagnosis.

Currently, there is no blood test that can definitively diagnose Parkinson's disease. However, active research is being conducted in this area. Scientists recently discovered that blood tests can detect changes in the level of the alpha-synuclein protein, which is associated with the development of Parkinson's disease. This could be the basis for a simple diagnostic test.

Treatment in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the medical industry is well-developed, and patients with Parkinson's disease can expect a high level of care and an individual approach to treatment. Effective treatment of Parkinson's disease in Switzerland includes the following methods:

Medication Therapy

Swiss doctors use advanced drugs and medication techniques to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This includes medications to improve motor function, reduce tremors, and improve the patient's quality of life.

 Deep Brain Stimulation

This is an innovative procedure that may be recommended for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain to help control symptoms and improve quality of lif

Currently, the treatment of Parkinson's disease is limited to symptomatic drug therapy. However, it only allows to some extent to improve the patient's quality of life, but does not affect the cause of the disease.

The basis of standard treatment is the use of dopaminergic drugs to restore dopamine concentration in the striatum (a cluster of gray matter deep in the brain hemispheres) with subsequent improvement of motor function.

Although these drugs do not alter the course of the disease and do not treat the non-motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease, they significantly improve motor symptoms in most patients, especially in the early stages of the disease. But such treatment has a serious drawback, which is expressed in problematic side effects. Drug therapy with antiparkinsonian drugs is accompanied by hallucinations, cognitive impairment, dyskinesias (movement disorders).

 Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy plays a key role in improving motor function and maintaining mobility in patients with Parkinson's disease. Specialized physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are available in Switzerland to help patients cope with symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Psychological Support

Parkinson's disease can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on the patient and their family. In Switzerland, patients have access to psychological support and counseling to help them cope with emotional difficulties and adapt to the changes caused by the disease.

 Prevention Methods for Parkinson's Disease

Currently, there is no way to prevent the disease, but research has shown that certain measures can help reduce the risk of developing the disease or slow its progression:

• Physical Activity: It is better to choose exercises that improve coordination and balance, such as walking, dancing, and yoga.
• Healthy Eating: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and fish can help reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. It is also worth avoiding fatty and high-calorie foods, as well as foods with a high sugar content.
• Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: These bad habits have a negative impact on the health of brain cells, so it is better to get rid of them.
• Stress Management: Stress increases the risk of developing neurological diseases, so you need to try to manage your emotions.
• Sleep: To maintain healthy brain function, it is necessary to observe a sleep and wakefulness regime.

Despite the fact that these measures do not guarantee complete protection against Parkinson's disease, they can help reduce the risk of its development.

Parkinson's disease is a serious illness that requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treatment. In Switzerland, patients with this neurodegenerative disorder have access to advanced diagnostic methods, innovative treatment technologies, and highly qualified specialists, making the country one of the leading medical centers for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Company CorSwiss  cooperates with the best medical centers in the world that specialize in the treatment of neurological diseases. Currently, we offer a unique opportunity for Parkinson's disease therapy with stem cells. This is an innovative technique that has already proven its effectiveness and safety in clinical trials.