Those who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease know that the illness can have a massive impact on day-to-day life. As there is no cure, learning to live with Parkinson’s and managing symptoms is essential for those that want to live a normal life. The good news is that there are a plethora of ways to manage the disease and improve the quality of life. Whether you’re in an early or late stage, every little bit can help. Here are some pointers to help you better deal with Parkinson’s and its effects.
Regular exercise
At this point, the physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise are well known. While many individuals with Parkinson’s Disease are hesitant to exercise, it can improve their quality of life significantly in the long run. A big part of this hesitance comes from symptoms worsening during physical activity. However, this effect is temporary, and research shows that it does not worsen the condition itself. The positive effects, on the other hand, can last a long while and include better mobility, balance, and coordination in Parkinson’s Disease.
Activities like swimming, dancing, cycling, Tai Chi are often recommended for individuals with PD. These activities aren’t too demanding, and they provide quite a few benefits. Talk to your physician before starting a physical activity regime. They will likely recommend that you consult a physical therapist to determine the best possible sport or physical activity for you.
Healthy eating
Much like exercise, healthy eating habits are a boon to physical and mental health. It’s always a good choice to make, but it’s especially effective when it comes to individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Not only do you make life easier by making all-around healthier choices, but these choices also make it easier to cope with symptoms. Taking in more fibre with fruits and vegetables is a great way to alleviate constipation and other intestinal issues, for example.
A great way to promote general health would be to drink plenty of fluids and switch to non-caffeinated beverages. This ensures better hydration, which has been shown to reduce muscle cramping. Anti-oxidant rich food and snacks are also wonderful choices for bettering general health. With all of these diet improvements, you can expect to have a much easier time dealing with symptoms.
Adequate medication
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease as of yet, but there are numerous ways to mitigate symptoms with medication. There are several classes of meds available for motor symptoms in various stages of the disease.
When it comes to medical therapy, it’s crucial that individuals with Parkinson’s Disease consult their neurologist and movement disorder specialist before choosing to proceed. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, different drugs can be used. There are generic forms of medication and special programs for PD, but they should only be used if recommended by a specialist. New methods, such as deep brain therapy, have become especially popular treatments for movement disorders in recent years. They’ve shown exceptional results for symptom treatment and might pave the way for even better solutions for other movement disorders.
Assembling a healthcare team
It’s no secret that Parkinson’s Disease requires monitoring and frequent medical consultation. With this in mind, staying in touch and maintaining a relationship with healthcare experts for PD can make life much easier for patients. Everyone from the speech therapists to the movement disorder specialists is essential for proper Parkinson’s Disease treatment and management.
Try to assemble a team of experts that best suit your needs for disease treatment. Communicate with them regarding the condition and how it progresses. Their input can help you make the right decisions regarding treatment and lifestyle choices. As you manage symptoms and transitions, they will accompany you through this journey and provide invaluable advice. This team of experts can include nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, neurosurgeons, occupational therapists, and various other healthcare personnel.
Conclusion
Living with Parkinson’s Disease can be a challenge to all those who suffer from it, but there are numerous ways to manage the disease and live a normal life. Of course, proper management and treatment often require the help of various medical professionals and medications. However, individual day-to-day habits can also have an enormous impact on quality of life.
