Parkinson's disease is curable: Dr Fowzia Siddiqui 

KARACHI: Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, an eminent neuro physician and President, Epilepsy Foundation, Pakistan, had stated that Parkinson's disease could be treated and managed successfully if diagnosed in an early stage.  

There are currently one million Parkinson's patients in Pakistan. Addressing a workshop of neurologists and psychiatrists in Peshawar on Parkinson's Disease, she asserted that this disease was often seen in more than 50 years old patients. Trembling of hands, general weakness, slow movements, falling and difficulty in walking are amongst the symptoms of this disease. 

She claimed that this ailment progresses gradually, but it is curable. If diagnosed early, elders could live a better life and be saved from being crippled. 

She added that after the diagnosis of this disease, the medical practitioner should prescribe available drugs in the correct dose so that the patients could also be saved from side effects. She enlightened that Substantia Nigra is the part of the brain where dopamine controls and coordinates body movement.  

She highlighted that medicines like levodopa, carbidopa entacapone and dopa agonists were given to treat this disease, but all medicines should be used when prescribed by a qualified physician.