Parkinson's

In most cases of Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms first start to appear during the 50s or 60s. In very few cases, a person may start showing the symptoms earlier. The main symptoms of Parkinson’s that you can spot in your loved one are:

Some other symptoms that you may notice in your loved one once the disease has set in and reaches towards the later stages are a blank expression, problems with speaking and communication, becoming forgetful and so on.

There are no immediate causes known that can trigger Parkinson’s disease in your loved one. It is believed that in some cases, abnormalities in the genes could cause Parkinson’s. However, there is not enough medical proof yet for the same.

Do note that even if your loved one shows some of the signs of Parkinson’s disease, it is possible that he or she does not have this condition, but is suffering from something else. Here are a few examples of conditions that may have similar symptoms as that of Parkinson’s.

1. Side effect from medication – Some types of drugs, such as antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia or paranoia, can lead to several symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson’s.
2. Problems in the blood vessels – While
it is not very common, in some cases, stroke or atherosclerosis (a type of condition in which the arteries turn hard), can lead to symptoms that are similar to Parkinson’s.
3. Substance abuse – Using certain types
of substances, such as MPTP, which is a type of synthetic heroin contaminant,
can also lead to Parkinson’s type of symptoms, but in a much severe form.
4. Shy-Drager syndrome – It is a type of
rare degenerative condition in which the symptoms are very similar to that of Parkinson’s.

There is no complete cure for Parkinson’s disease yet. Doctors often prescribe various medications to control the symptoms that are associated with the condition. If the symptoms are still too mild, the doctor may in fact ask for a wait-and-watch approach till these start affecting your loved one’s daily life, before prescribing any medication.

When the symptoms get more pronounced, the doctor will prescribe medication. The dosage will vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and how and when it gets worse. Sometimes, a particular medicine may work well for your loved one. At other times, the doctor may need to give a combination of drugs to get the best results.

The medicines used for Parkinson’s are most effective during the initial time of use. With regular use, they stop having as much effect but can still have some control over the symptoms.

Here are some of the more common medicines that are prescribed for helping those who are suffering from Parkinson’s.

This is a type of treatment that involves a surgical method. The surgeon will place wires inside your loved one’s brain. These wires will help to transfer small electrical signals to the parts of the brain that help to control movement. If the treatment works, these signals can help the affected parts of the brain to work better.

Till date, there is no medically proven method that can help to prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

However, a combination of the following tips can help to improve your overall brain health and may delay the onset of Parkinson’s.

1. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.
2. Consume foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, such as various seafood.
3. Avoid red meat and have less dairy products.
4. Include foods that are high in their fibre content

With the right type of physical therapy exercise, it is possible to control the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

How Physical Therapy Exercise Can Help A Parkinson’s Disease Patient

Our physiotherapists will create a specific plan that will mainly focus on the following two aspects.

1. Gait Retraining – The physiotherapist will teach and guide your loved one how to stand up, walk and move ahead. While there are various ways to do so, the therapist will mostly concentrate on repeating the actual steps that are used while walking, and use them to help your loved one walk again.
2. Motor Control Relearning – The physiotherapist will help to improve various motor skills in your loved one with the use of repetitive motions. It also helps to improve overall movement.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy Exercises For Parkinson’s Disease

Here are some of the main benefits of physical therapy exercises that your loved one can avail of.

1. Balance and coordination
2. Ability to move and walk
3. Overcome fatigue
4. Improve stamina
5. Reduce or control pain
6. Improve and maintain posture

Types Of Physiotherapy Exercises For Parkinson’s Disease

Here is a list of the various types of physical therapy based exercises the therapist will use to help your loved one suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

1. Breathing exercises to improve both the inhalation and the exhalation process.
2. Stretching exercises to stretch and warm up muscles before any other exercises.
3. Rhythmic exercises with rotational movements that are done in slow motions.
4. Different exercises to help your loved one relearn about sitting, standing up and walking.
5. Exercises to improve posture and maintain control over posture, that include static and dynamic exercises.
6. Exercises that are aimed at stretching all parts of the body.
7. Exercises that focus on functional mobility training. These types of exercises often include exercises that help in bed mobility, transfer training as well as helping your loved one get out of a chair or get up from a sitting position.
8. Stationary exercises to help your loved one learn and relearn reciprocal movements, such as using a stationary bicycle.
9. Using simple exercise motions such as clapping, moving the arms in a rotating motion, standing for some minutes at a stretch and so on.
10. Progressive ambulation exercises done slowly, such as learning and relearning how to lift a leg and place it in front of the other, how to properly place the heel and the toe to maintain balance, how to swing the arms and balance while walking and so on.
11. Teaching your loved one how to use various assistive instruments such as a walking stick, wheelchair or any other that may be required.

A trained physiotherapist can assist in various ways to help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and provide as much relief as possible. You can book an appointment with one of our trained and experienced therapist to know more.

Types Of Exercises That Can Benefit A Parkinson’s Patient

For someone with Parkinson’s, the aim of exercising is to stay physically active, instead of trying to do a lot and stress the body. The therapist will help you choose what type of exercise plan will best suit your loved one, something that will also keep him or her interested.

Here are some types of exercises that your loved one can try:

Tips To Remember Before Exercising

1. Speak to the doctor or neurologist and inform them that you are planning to start your loved one on an exercise plan. Ask them what type of exercise they feel will suit your loved one’s condition and overall health. If there is any particular exercise that your loved one wants to try, check on that with the doctor.
2. If your loved one has never exercised till now, make sure you inform the doctor about the same as well. In some cases, the doctor may like to do a physical examination just to make sure that everything is right before starting the exercise program.
3. Sometimes, the doctor may schedule a visit for your loved one with a physiotherapist who is experienced in working with patients affected with Parkinson’s disease. This will help you understand the type of exercises your loved one will have to do. It will help your loved one check how the body responds to exercise and if there is any particular discomfort that he or she experiences. Sometimes, the physiotherapist may modify certain exercises that will specifically work for the condition and for overall health.

Important Tips

1. In case any exercise makes your loved one feel uncomfortable or causes pain, speak to the doctor and physiotherapist and stop it for the time being.
2. Make sure that your loved one does not get too tired. If it causes any type of discomfort, it is important to discontinue the exercise and give the body time to rest and heal.
3. Always do a proper check of the immediate environment to make sure that your loved one will be safe while exercising and that there is no risk of an injury or fall.
4. Speak to the doctor, help your loved one take it slow, and make sure he or she follows the therapist’s advice and guidance while exercising.