According to the Parkinson’s foundation, it is estimated that over 10 million people suffer from Parkinson’s disease on a global scale. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system, ultimately making movement impossible for the patient. Some early signs of Parkinson’s may include tremors in the hands, a decline in coordination, voice tremors, change in standing posture, change in facial expressions, and sleep problems, just to name a few.
Even though the exact cause of the disorder is not exactly known, some of the possible causes and risk factors of Parkinson’s are believed to include low dopamine or norepinephrine levels, autoimmune factors, lewy bodies, and genetic factors. The disease advances slowly in stages and treatment may include medication, surgery, lifestyle changes, some doctor-recommended exercises. In most cases, the treatment approaches seek to control the symptom and improve the patient’s quality of life since there is no definite cure for Parkinson’s. But how exactly can one beat the symptoms of Parkinson’s, and improve the quality of their life?
Here is a brief account of the various ways you can prevent or fight Parkinson’s disease.
Medication
A number of drugs are available for the treatment of Parkinson’s. Some of the most common ones include amantadine, MAO B inhibitors, dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, Anticholinergics, and Carbidopa-levodopa, among others. As a matter of fact, a 2017 study suggested that Parkinson’s could be stopped with more research using drugs such as exenatide, a common drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Adhering strictly to your medication can improve your condition to the point that you even forget you have the neurodegenerative disorder.
Physical Therapy
Nothing is as healthy as being physically active whenever you can. Remember that the mind, body, and spirit are always interconnected. Regular exercise has been seen to be effective in improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s over time and even reducing its risk of developing by 30% according To Harvard Health. This is perhaps due to the fact that it tends to improve the immune system as well as the nervous system. However, it is important to liaise with your doctor for advice on the appropriate exercise plan for you.
Proper Diet
As they always say, you are what you eat! When suffering from Parkinson’s, your doctor may not have a specific prescription for you but it is always crucial to observe a strict healthy diet when trying to fight the disorder. Due to their high concentration of antioxidants, sticking to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will be extremely helpful. Legumes, grain, nuts, and dark chocolate are also advisable examples.
Natural Supplements
In this age and day, more and more people are turning to nutritional supplements as an alternative treatment approach for their ailments. Many studies have found that dietary supplements can help prevent inflammation and control metabolism in people with Parkinson’s disease. Some of the most common supplements for Parkinson’s include certain vitamins (such as B1 and B3) and minerals (iron), antioxidants, fish oil, curcumin, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10. Mannitol for Parkinson’s is another popular natural supplement with a scientific backing of its effectiveness in fighting the disease. The supplement according to its manufacturers, has the ability to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s or eradicate them altogether.
Regardless of the fact that it is incurable, having Parkinson’s is not a death sentence. While there’s no sure-proof way to cure Parkinson’s completely, the above approaches will be helpful in making your life better and even restoring mobility.