Take Charge of Your Health - Living Well With Parkinson's Disease

To me, hope is informed optimism.

-Michael J. Fox

Parkinson's Disease (PD) affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and about 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year (most commonly found in men over the age of 60)! The good news is that with the right medication, healthy living and support, it is possible to have high quality of life with PD.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs when the nerve cells in an area of the brain are impaired (or die) and in turn, produce less dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter – it organizes and transmits signals that control body movement. That’s why people with Parkinson’s can experience tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance. They may also lose another chemical – norepinephrine – which supports “automatic” functions such as digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Constipation, depression, memory problems, and other “non-movement” symptoms can also be attributed to Parkinson’s.

Affecting nearly 1 million people in the U.S, about 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and PD is most commonly found in men over the age of 60. The good news is that with the right medication, healthy living and support, it is possible to have high quality of life with PD.

The causes of Parkinson’s are unknown. Scientists think a small percentage of people that have PD have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to development of the disease. Toxic exposure may also put people at risk.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s include:

• Tremors

• Stiffness

• Sleep issues; waking up frequently

• Slowness when walking

• Balance issues

• Lack of facial expression

• Slurred, soft or monotone speech

• Cognitive issues

• Depression, fear, anxiety

• Difficulty writing; writing small

• Loss of smell

• Chewing and swallowing difficulties

• Bladder issues

• Constipation

Although bradykinesia – slow movement and tremors -- are the conditions most commonly associated with PD, research has uncovered that there are several symptoms of PD that can occur well before the challenges of bradykinesia. These early warning signs can include: loss of the sense of smell; restless nights and the acting out of dreams; constipation; and anxiety and depression due to chemical changes in the brain. Researchers note that these signs can appear 10 to 20 years before PD is even diagnosed.

Medications are the primary treatment for PD. They help correct the shortage of dopamine and can significantly improve symptoms. Levodopa is thought to be the most effective drug, but there are other choices, as well as other treatment therapies and surgical options. The decision to begin medication and what medicine to take is different for each person and since symptoms change as the disease progresses, physicians typically supervise patients closely and adjust the medications to help manage the symptoms of PD as they appear.

In terms of self-care, physical and mental exercises can help slow down disease progression and contribute to higher quality of life. Exercise is important for maintaining strength, range-of-motion and balance— capabilities that decline as PD progresses from early to advanced stages. Exercising strengthens and stretches muscles, helps with blood flow, creates neurological connections between the brain and body, and can also promote more efficient use of dopamine.

Working with a physical therapist and/or occupational therapist can help patients determine the types of activity that are best and develop a program that continues to evolve and challenge them over time. Research shows that music therapy can also be beneficial for treating motor and non-motor symptoms so patients should consider combining music and dance into their routine.

Since cognitive disorders can accompany PD and can also be a side effect of the medications, it is helpful to keep the brain working—whether that be with crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or reading.

It can be difficult to stay motivated to do physical and mental exercises every day so it is recommended PD patients seek out community wellness programs that offer physical, mental, emotional, and social support programs and enable people with PD to connect with others experiencing similar health issues. Integrative therapies and classes such as therapeutic massage, tai chi, meditation, yoga, pet therapy, and as mentioned, music therapy may be helpful in easing the complications of PD and providing supportive care.

If you are experiencing some symptoms that are associated with PD, set up an appointment with your primary care provider or ask your physician for a referral to a neurologist who has specialized training in PD. For more detail please visit www.parkinson.org