Parkinson’s Information: Managing Parkinson’s Disease

Once a person has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he or she should build a game plan. The game plan should include at least one goal such as reducing symptoms, minimizing side effects, maintaining daily living activities, or maximizing independence. Once a goal is chosen, the patient, with the help of his or her doctor or physical and occupational therapists, should create a schedule of exercise and a nutrition, sleep, and support plan.

Exercise helps the patient keep control of his or her movements by reducing gait problems, improving flexibility, and increasing muscle strength and balance, among other healthy benefits. Having the proper diet can help people living with Parkinson’s Disease avoid bone fractures, dehydration, bowel impaction, and weight loss. Sleep—good sleep—helps keep the body and mind functioning. Because nightmares are a common symptom of Parkinson's, patients should avoid stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine and go to bed and get up at the same time every day so that the body can get used to a sleep schedule.

Parkinson’s Disease Treatments: Surgery

Surgery can be used to treat Parkinson’s Disease, but because the location of the target selection is different in each patient, it is only generally located until the brain is opened. Once the brain is opened, the location of the target selection is pinned down. When the surgery is successful, the patient may have to do some post-operative rehabilitation on the affected limb. The patient should also continue taking the Parkinson’s Disease medications.

Once the target is confirmed, a test lesion is made for one minute. During the time of the test lesion, the patient is tested for motor dexterity, sensation, and verbal skills. If the tremor improves and no other neurological problems occur, a permanent lesion is made at 75 degrees for one minute. While making the lesion, the patient’s neurological status is monitored, and the procedure is stopped if there is any type of impairment or negative changes. If the lesion is not large enough, based on physiologic responses and recordings during the operation, the lesion can be enlarged.

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment: Protective Treatments

In addition to drug treatment for Parkinson’s Disease, there are also protective treatments. Drug treatments are symptomatic treatments, as they treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Protective treatments or neuroprotecetive therapies try to stop the disease, or at least delay the start of the disease.
The substantia nigra is the part of the brain that is involved in the production of dopamine. Dopamine is the substance that keeps the joints lubricated. Cell loss in the substantia nigra is the actual cause of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Neuroprotective treatments have been found to have some positive effects early in disease onset.

Selegiline inhibits the enzyme MAO-B. MAO-B breaks down dopamine, so the inhibition of MAO-B prolongs the dopamine action in the brain. While this drug has not been proven to stop Parkinson’s Disease, in theory, it should slow the disease.

Coenzyme Q-10 affects the energy-generating mechanisms in cells. Cells must have energy to live and to work. Mitochondria is what gives the cells energy (it is the cell's “batteries”). Because the coenzyme Q-10 affects the cells, it can possibly help treat Parkinson’s disease by “forcing” the cells to continue doing their jobs, which is producing and dispersing dopamine.

Exercise for Parkinson’s

Maintaining muscle tone and function can help with some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. If a patient is on medication for Parkinson’s, an exercise program designed for that patient’s particular symptoms can complement that treatment. Prior to starting an exercise regimen, a patient should visit his or her doctor or physical therapist, as the doctor or therapist can help determine which types of exercises will best benefit the patient.

In addition to 10 tips (link: http://www.cnsonline.org/www/archive/parkins/park-03.html) to help a Parkinson’s patient walk and keep balance, there are exercises to help with the following:

• Standing
• Sitting
• Lying down on the floor or a firm bed
• Better balance
• Walking
• Turning
• Getting in and out of a chair
• Getting out of bed
• Using arms and hands
• Safety in the bathtub and on the toilet
• Speech and chewing difficulties

These exercises and tips can contribute to a safer environment for the Parkinson’s patient. They should be used in addition to medications advised by a doctor or physical therapist.

Information on Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive disease, which means that, as time goes on, the symptoms of the disease become more advanced. Because some patients have problems with psychological adjustment to the diagnosis, additional difficulties can manifest:

• Persistent high levels of anxiety
• Hypersensitivity
• Social withdrawal
• Inability to tolerate frustration
• Anger
• Depression

If a patient is suffering from the psychological changes, he or she should speak to a doctor regarding treatment of both the disease itself and the psychological issues.

Patients with Parkinson’s Disease have motor function degradation and loss because the brain does not produce enough dopamine, which is what keeps the joints lubricated. In addition to physical and psychological treatments, drug treatment is available. Drug treatment aims to produce dopamine, and while it won't make the disease go away, it will have a considerably favorable effect on the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.