The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi KnappThus, the eBook, The Parkinson’s Protocol, educates you regarding the natural and simple ways to minimize the symptoms and delay the development of Parkinson’s effectively and quickly. It will also help your body to repair itself without following a specific diet plan, using costly ingredients or specific equipment. Its 60 days guarantee to return your money allows you to try for once without any risk.
What are the risks associated with Parkinson’s surgery?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) surgery, most commonly deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other neurosurgery, can be a great benefit for patients whose medication is not treating their symptoms sufficiently. However, like any operation, there can be risks. Risks are based on type of surgery, patient health, and surgeon. Below are the main risks of Parkinson’s surgery:
1. Surgical Risks
Infection: There is infection risk with each surgery, but especially in the brain, when the risk might be worse. Infection could occur at the site of the implant (with DBS), or it can infect surrounding brain tissue.
Bleeding: Intracranial bleeding poses a risk that leads to hemorrhagic stroke. This is specifically a concern as it leads to aggravation of symptoms or additional neurological deficits.
Anesthesia Risks: General anesthesia is required in most Parkinson’s operations, and it carries risks like allergic reactions, respiratory difficulties, or cardiac complications, especially for elderly patients or those with pre-existing medical conditions.
2. Neurological Risks
Cognitive Decline: Surgery, particularly DBS, may lead to temporary or, in a few cases, permanent cognitive issues. These may include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or change in executive function.
Speech or Swallowing Difficulty: Some individuals experience difficulty with speaking or swallowing after surgery. This is a consequence of the impact of surgery on areas of the brain responsible for motor components of speech and swallowing.
Mood and Psychiatric Changes: Surgery may result in mood changes, depression, or anxiety. In some cases, patients have reported being more irritable or having more psychiatric symptoms following DBS or other treatments.
Dystonia or Dyskinesia: While the operation is intended to reduce motor symptoms, surgery could trigger or enhance dystonia (muscle cramps resulting in odd posture) or dyskinesia (odd movement). Adjustment of the DBS parameters may have the tendency to counteract such effects in the majority of cases.
3. DBS-Specific Risks
Lead Migration or Malfunction: In deep brain stimulation (DBS), electrodes are inserted into the brain to deliver electrical impulses. The leads may migrate or malfunction and require additional procedures to repair or replace them.
Device Malfunction: The pulse generator that supplies power to the DBS system can break down, or the battery can run out, and replacement surgery is required.
Skin Reactions: The device that is implanted can lead to inflammation or infection of the skin surrounding the device, especially around the battery or wiring.
Changes in Motor Function: DBS sometimes worsens motor symptoms, particularly if the device is not properly programmed to the patient’s needs. It might take time and multiple attempts to discover the optimal stimulation settings.
4. Post-Surgical Complications
Swelling or Inflammation: Swelling or inflammation of the brain can occur following surgery, resulting in temporary changes in the nervous system such as confusion or difficulty with movement.
Seizures: Seizures are a rare but life-threatening side effect of brain surgery. They may be due to the surgery itself or changes in brain function following surgery.
Stroke: A stroke can occur due to damage to blood vessels during surgery, leading to permanent neurological impairment.
5. Psychosocial and Emotional Risks
Patient Expectations: Not all patients experience dramatic improvement after surgery, and results may vary. In certain cases, there can be disappointment if the surgery does not bring as much benefit as anticipated, leading to emotional distress.
Adjustment to New Symptoms: In spite of the fact that surgery improves motor symptoms, surgery can induce new challenges like the requirement for ongoing fine-tuning alterations to the DBS system or new side effects. Caregivers and patients may become irritable with these adjustments.
6. General Health Risks
Worsening of Pre-Existing Conditions: Parkinson’s patients can have other medical conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease) that can complicate recovery and surgery. These conditions can predispose to complications like infection, wound healing issues, or issues with anesthesia.
Long Recovery Period: Accounting from Parkinson’s surgery, particularly DBS, can take considerable time. Patients might feel tired, in pain, or with movement restrictions during the recovery, affecting their overall health and well-being.
7. Long-Term Risks
Loss of Effectiveness with Time: The effectiveness of DBS can decline with the passage of time. The battery of the device has to be replaced from time to time, and stimulation parameters may have to be revised as the illness progresses.
Potential for Loss of Cognitive or Motor Function: While surgery for Parkinson’s can reduce symptoms in the short term, there is still a possibility that symptoms will deteriorate over time, and some patients may even lose motor or cognitive function despite surgery.
Reducing Risks
Careful Screening: Not all Parkinson’s patients are suitable for surgery. Proper evaluation, including neuroimaging and assessment of motor symptoms, cognition, and general health, must be done to determine suitability.
Experienced Surgical Team: Success and safety of the procedure are largely based on the experience and expertise of the surgical team. It is best to have experts who are familiar with Parkinson’s surgery, particularly in conducting DBS.
Post-Surgery Monitoring and Follow-Up: After surgery, patients need to be monitored and followed up closely to adjust settings (e.g., for DBS), promptly treat complications, and optimize outcomes.
Conclusion
While Parkinson’s surgery, and deep brain stimulation specifically, can be highly effective in symptom control in some patients, it is not without inherent risks. These can include surgical complications, neurological alterations, device malfunction, and psychosocial issues. Multidisciplinary team assessment, rigorous patient selection, and follow-up are essential to prevent these risks and optimize benefits for patients.
The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi KnappThus, the eBook, The Parkinson’s Protocol, educates you regarding the natural and simple ways to minimize the symptoms and delay the development of Parkinson’s effectively and quickly. It will also help your body to repair itself without following a specific diet plan, using costly ingredients or specific equipment. Its 60 days guarantee to return your money allows you to try for once without any risk