When treating you, our Sentara specialists strive to minimize your symptoms and, whenever possible, eliminate them. Your treatments may include multiple options and can change over time depending on your needs.We work closely with our own team of experts as well as other dedicated professionals researching existing and emerging care. Our hope is is for you and all of our patients to return to good health and a full life.
Treatments for MS
- Medications to reduce relapses: More than a dozen medications are currently approved by the FDA to help reduce the frequency and severity of MS relapses. We discuss all of the options with you and help determine the best choice for your current condition.
- Medications to relieve symptoms: We can help you manage MS symptoms - such as fatigue, depression or bladder control - with effective, targeted medications.
- Physical and occupational therapy: If multiple sclerosis affects your muscle strength, balance or coordination, our specialized therapists can help. They can design a personalized plan to help you maintain physical function and stay active.
- Lifestyle modifications: A healthy diet, regular exercise and proper sleep are all important factors in managing multiple sclerosis. We collaborate with specialists across the Sentara network to address these issues.
- Emotional support: We can refer you to a counselor who specializes in treating people with multiple sclerosis. Therapy can help you manage emotions that may arise after being diagnosed with the disease. We also offer monthly MS support groups where you have the opportunity to connect with others in the community.
Treatment for Parkinson's
- Medications: Many Parkinson's symptoms result from lack of dopamine in the brain. The most commonly used medicines work on the dopamine system to improve the rigidity, slowness and tremors associated with the disease. Other medications affect different brain enzymes. You may need a combination of medications to effectively treat your symptoms. We'll work with you to find the precise mix that brings the best results.
- Surgery: Our highly skilled neurosurgeons expertly perform Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery to treat severe cases of Parkinson's disease. During this procedure, your surgeon places electrodes in areas of your brain involved in motor function. We also implant a device called an impulse generator (IPG) under your collarbone. This device is similar to a pacemaker. It provides an electrical impulse to stimulate the electrodes in your brain so you can better control your movements.
- MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound: Our neurosurgeons use high-intensity focused ultrasound energy, guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to heat a small targeted area of tissue in the brain, which can reduce the tremor. Only where the ultrasound waves converge is the target heated to cause a small ablation which produces the therapeutic effect, improvement in hand tremor. The patient is awake, providing feedback during the treatment. MRI guided focused ultrasound is an incisionless treatment requiring no hospital stay. This treatment is available at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
- Physical therapy: Staying strong and active is essential for people with Parkinson's disease. Our experienced physical therapists work with you to develop an exercise plan that maintains your strength and improves your balance. We also offer regular fitness classes designed to meet the unique needs of people with Parkinson's disease.
- Music therapy: Our skilled therapists at the Sentara Music and Medicine Center use music as part your physical and emotional therapy. Music therapy is proven to help improve speech difficulties, cognitive issues and body movement.
- Lifestyle: Avoiding things such as caffeine and stress that may trigger tremors can help reduce their frequency and severity. We'll work with you to modify your diet and provide strategies to help you manage stress.
Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
- Medication to relieve symptoms: We use several drugs approved by the FDA to treat RLS. Some relieve symptoms by regulating levels of dopamine, a brain chemical, which helps control involuntary movements. Other medications affect the level of GABA, a brain chemical that slows certain brain signals, to calm your nervous system.
- Replacing medications that can worsen RLS: Some people find their RLS symptoms increase as a side effect of other medications they're taking. Common antihistamines, sleep medications and antidepressants can have this effect. We'll work with you to find alternatives that don't trigger your symptoms.
- Lifestyle changes: Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine can trigger or worsen restless leg syndrome. If drinking or smoking impact your condition, we can help you quit. Staying active can also alleviate symptoms. Our specially trained physical therapists can design a stretching and strengthening routine that meets your goals.
- Self-care: Establishing healthy sleep habits is important to help battle fatigue caused by RLS. If symptoms keep you up at night, our sleep experts can help you get your sleep back on track. We also recommend making relaxing, self-care rituals - like warm baths and massage - part of your routine.
Treatment for Tremors
- Medications: Some tremors - especially those associated with Parkinson's - are related to dopamine levels in the brain. Medications that regulate your dopamine levels can reduce tremors.
- Botox injections: Our doctors inject Botox into muscles to help prevent the involuntary contractions that lead to tremors.
- Surgery: Our highly skilled neurosurgeons expertly perform deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat severe Parkinson's tremors. During this procedure, your surgeon places electrodes in areas of your brain that are involved in motor function. We also implant a device called an impulse generator (IPG) under your collarbone. This device is similar to a pacemaker. It provides an electrical impulse to stimulate the electrodes in your brain, blocking the nerve centers that cause tremors and certain symptoms.
- MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound: Using advanced technology our neurosurgeons use high-intensity focused ultrasound energy, guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to heat a small targeted area of tissue in the brain, which can reduce the tremor. Only where the ultrasound waves converge is the target heated to cause a small ablation which produces the therapeutic effect, improvement in hand tremor. The patient is awake, providing feedback during the treatment. MRI guided focused ultrasound is an incision-less treatment requiring no hospital stay. This treatment is available at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
- Physical therapy: Keeping your body strong and staying active helps improve muscle control and coordination. Our specialized physical therapists work with you to develop an exercise plan so you can better control your tremors.
- Music therapy: The skilled therapists at the Sentara Music and Medicine Center use music as part your physical and emotional therapy. Music therapy has been shown to help improve control of your body movements.
- Lifestyle: Avoiding things such as caffeine and stress that may trigger tremors can reduce their frequency and severity. We'll work with you to modify your diet and give you strategies to better manage stress.