Lesser Known Facts about Parkinson’s Disease
- Are you facing sudden loss of balance?
- Do you suffer from trembling in hands, legs, jaws and face?
- Do you feel hardness or inflexibility in your body?
- Are you experiencing sudden slowness in your normal body movements?
These are the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. If you are experiencing any of these above symptoms then you should visit a doctor for proper assessment, diagnosis and treatment. ReLiva Physiotherapy and Rehab provides expert physiotherapy care to help you deal with all the above symptoms.
Physiotherapy can play a vital role in the management of parkinson’s disease. The treatment focuses on improving the movements of patients and increasing their physical capacity. Neurological physiotherapy can help the patient to lead a normal life through specific focus on transfer training and walking, balance and fall education and practice of various manual activities.
You can read this article in Hindi here
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder or a brain disease. It’s not a fatal disease but it makes patients condition difficult to sustain.
Our brain controls our body, its functions and its movements. Brain sends messages to other parts of our body in the form of chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is found that reduction of Dopamine the movement planning and speed controlling neurotransmitter producing cells causes Parkinson’s disease. It also elicits some major symptoms that are used for diagnosis of this disease. These symptoms many times are unique according to age, environment and gender of patient.
Parkinson’s disease can cause some (movement related) motor symptoms as well as non motor symptoms.
A. Major symptoms that are used for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease are motor symptoms (Movement Related)
- Tremors of the hands, legs, jaw and face.
- Change in facial expression, walking and body posture.
- Loss of balance..
- Slowness of movement(Bradykinesia)
- Inability to move (This symptoms occur in the advance weakening stage)
- Stiffness in limb and trunk
B. Some of the non motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are
- Insecurity, stress and anxiety
- Constipation
- Depression
- Excess Salivation and difficulty in swallowing
- Weak sense of smell
- Dementia, confusion and memory loss
- Male erectile dysfunction
- Skin problems
- Slow, monotone voice and quieter speech
- Urinary urgency
How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?
There is no specific diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease hence it is diagnosed on clinical measures. There is no blood test or brain scans available which can definitely diagnose this disease.
This disease is diagnosed if at least two or three major symptoms are present in patients such as tremors, stiffness or loss of balance. Usually these symptoms first start occurring on one side of the body
There are various medicines available which can reduce tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement and loss of balance conditions. Research and studies are going on to make new medicines which can halt the progression of this disease. If medications are found ineffective doctors may decide to go for brain surgery to improve the condition. But often it found dangerous hence surgeries are done only in rare cases as a last resort.
Alternative Treatment for Parkinson’s
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the most popular alternative treatment of parkinsons disease. Ayurveda originated in India and is more than 5000 years old science. Ayurvedic medicines work along with special diet and designed exercises. Ayurveda uses special meditation practices, certain types of herbs, special massages and specifically designed exercises of joints and limbs to cure this disease. For example the herb called Mucuna pruriens Indian name is Atmagupta, Kaunch, Kevanch may mimic the medicine Levodopa.
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and its treatment is focused on managing the symptoms and delaying/ decreasing them with physiotherapy and medications.
Doctor subscribe drugs only after noticing certain symptoms in patient. Physiotherapy on the other hand helps patients to balance out movement difficulties. A physiotherapist also teaches basic activities like controlling muscles to do every day basic activities. A physiotherapy helps patients to get a healthy life style however they cannot cure the symptoms of this disease but they can definitely improve the condition of patients. It’s important not to rely on drugs as they have side effects and they also add toxicity to body.
With physiotherapy, exercises, healthy life style and diet its easy to deal with the Parkinson’s disease symptoms and improve co-ordination and movement. Many of the symptoms could be reversed as one could see from this patient review
General population is not aware of Parkinson’s disease. What is Parkinson’s disease? What are its effects and causes? We need to create awareness about Parkinson’s disease so people suffering from this disease get proper care and treatment. Many people are not well-informed about Parkinson’s disease symptoms; hence they tend to neglect the early warning signs. This further exacerbates patient’s condition and his endurance. It’s a complex disease which needs earnest crucial attention. Right medication and therapies can improve the patient’s condition. On time help and certain physical therapies have also shown great improvement in patient’s condition.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Following may be the cause of Parkinsonism:
- Theses disease is mostly found in old age people normally older than 60 years of age.
- Studies have found that Parkinson’s tends to affect more men than women in general.
- Individual who have family history of Parkinson’s diseases have found higher chances of inheriting this disease.
- Genetic or hereditary factors and environmental factors are mostly linked with this disorder.
- Exposure to toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, high level of environmental pollution, head trauma and illness also have been linked with this disease, however scientist have still not identified the exact cause of this disease.
Research is still going on to find the exact cause and cure for this disease.
People who are over 60 years of age generally suffer from this disease, but some people have suffered from Parkinson’s disease symptoms at a very young age . In some unusual cases Parkinson disease symptoms are also found in children and teenagers. There has been alarming increase in number of patients belonging to young age groups in recent years.
The Parkinson’s disease can tremendously affect professional as well as family life. At advanced stage, patient’s struggle every day to lead a normal life. The biggest help we can do for Parkinson’s disease patients is by giving them our support and patience. It’s a complicated and complex disease which can take away freedom. It’s very important that we should know about Parkinson’s disease symptoms. This disease cause different effects on different individuals. Anyone suffering from Parkinson’s disease can improve his condition by taking proper nutrient, adequate sleep, exercising and staying fit. Physiotherapy, surgical therapy, medication and other supportive therapies are used for parkinson’s disease treatment. The aim of these treatment is to try give patient normal movement and control symptoms of disease.
Tips for Parkinson patients
Patient suffering from parkinson’s disease mostly feel vulnerable and hopeless they have to tackle with physical as well as mental changes in body. To stay active, positive and healthy patient can do certain things
Diet for Parkinsons
A healthy high fiber diet which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and protein will help to fight against this disease. Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants they are more effective than any supplements. A high fiber diet can help to prevent constipation. Which is common in parkinson’s disease patients
Physical exercise for Parkinson’s
Regular exercise is must for Parkinson’s patients It will help the patient maintain strength and flexibility and they can stay physically active for a longer period of time. Reliva Physiotherapy and Rehab center will help you with proper physical exercises which you can perform everyday to stay healthy and active. Regular physical activity and exercise is a must for this patients. Another way of staying healthy is gardening, jogging, swimming and running. There is an excellent exercise program from ReLiva, available for patients with limited capacity or mobility.
Walking with Parkinson’s
One of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is problem with walking. This is due to loss of balance which leads to awkward gait. By learning proper walking and balancing techniques the risk of falls for the patient can be reduced. At ReLiva Physiotherapy & Rehab, our clinicians understand the need for a comprehensive treatment to ensure that Parkinson’s patients and have a better quality of life.
Related Reading: Falls in the Elderly: How to Improve Balance Click to read
Buying good walking shoes will help the patient to walk easily and prevent them from falling. Running shoes do not help if they have balance problems so needed to be avoided
Patient need to walk slowly with right posture. In the start it may look or feel awkward but in some days they will get better with their movements.
You can call us at 9920991584 or ask for call back by clicking here if you need our experts to help you improve balance and prevent falls. Our team will connect with you with a physiotherapist best suited for you and get you started with recovery at the earliest.
Falling / Falls among Parkinson patients
Parkinson’s affect the balance and co ordination centre in brain hence most Parkinson’s patient loose their balance and they fall more often. Patient need to improve and maintain their balance skills
- Ask your physiotherapist for balance improving exercises
- Taichi ancient Chinese martial art contain slow and graceful movements and help in relaxing muscle and joints, hence learning it can be effective
- Remove rugs that may cause trips and falls
- Install handrails throughout the home
- Always keep phone within reach of patient, near the chair or bed is a good idea.
Parkinson’s Facts: Ending Notes
At advance phase Parkinson’s patients need constant care and attention. It gets impossible for them to carry out every day normal activities, hence it would be a good idea to plan every day activities in advance and hire a professional care giver. An active day with enough rest and proper diet is must to keep the patient healthy. Care givers need to help the patient with everyday activities like brushing, bathing, using wash room etc. Also its important that caregivers and patients learn as much about the disease – Parkinsons Foundation and Parkinson’s society India provide useful information.
It’s important to give timely medication and care to the patient. Many times it’s difficult for patient to stand on their own hence they can miss their timely doses. A professional care giver can devote their time looking after the patient. It’s important to give them timely medication so their condition will not get grave. Many Parkinson’s disease patients are totally dependent on their family or care givers at times as it become very difficult for them due to trembling or losing control on their body.
We have seen what Parkinson’s disease is?, what are its symptoms? how to find right treatment, how to care for patients and tips for patients. It’s all very important for helping patient. Family, friends and patient need to stay positive and keep happy atmosphere. It’s a disease which may make you feel down but you can always search for positivity to stay happy. Physical exercise and movement is one of the best ways to improve condition in a long run.
