Treatment For Early Stage Parkinson's Disease

All About Ayurvedic Treatment For Parkinsons Disease

Early Parkinson’s Disease

Even after this much detail, few things are left. Queries should be replied to properly. So here are some FAQs about Parkinsons disease-

Is Parkinsons disease curable in Ayurveda?

This is a patient-specific question. Because the spectrum of Parkinsons disease is vast and it has different stages, therefore, it is hard to say in one word- curable and incurable. The early stages of Parkinsons disease are well reversible and the patient wont need to continue any medicines. But in a later stage, the verdict is the management of the condition, alone. So the prognosis is not similar in all cases. After a complete assessment, your physician can only comment on that.

Can Parkinsons be stopped?

For sure, Parkinsons can be stopped through Ayurvedic treatment for Parkinsons disease. The main idea of Ayurveda is to bring complete wellness through a holistic approach. Thus, for Ayurveda, it is possible to stop the Parkinsons disease.

Recommended Reading: Cleveland Clinic Parkinsons Bicycle Study 2017

Common Drugs For Parkinson’s Disease

Levodopa and carbidopa . Levodopa is the most commonly prescribed medicine for Parkinsonâs. Itâs also the best at controlling the symptoms of the condition, particularly slow movements and stiff, rigid body parts.

Levodopa works when your brain cells change it into dopamine. Thatâs a chemical the brain uses to send signals that help you move your body. People with Parkinsonâs donât have enough dopamine in their brains to control their movements.

Sinemet is a mix of levodopa and another drug called carbidopa. Carbidopa makes the levodopa work better, so you can take less of it. That prevents many common side effects of levodopa, such as nausea, vomiting, and irregular heart rhythms.

Sinemet has the fewest short-term side effects, compared with other Parkinsonâs medications. But it does raise your odds for some long-term problems, such as involuntary movements. An inhalable powder form of levodopa and the tablet istradefylline have been approved for those experiencing OFF periods, OFF periods can happen when Parkinsonâs symptoms return during periods between scheduled doses of levodopa/carbidopa.

People who take levodopa for 3-5 years may eventually have restlessness, confusion, or unusual movements within a few hours of taking the medicine. Changes in the amount or timing of your dose will usually prevent these side effects.

Dopamine agonists. These drugs act like dopamine in the brain. They include pramipexole , rotigotine , and ropinirole , .

What Can I Expect If I Have This Condition

Parkinsons disease is a degenerative condition, meaning the effects on your brain get worse over time. However, this condition usually takes time to get worse. Most people have a normal life span with this condition.

You’ll need little to no help in the earlier stages and can keep living independently. As the effects worsen, youll need medication to limit how the symptoms affect you. Most medications, especially levodopa, are moderately or even very effective once your provider finds the minimum dose you need to treat your symptoms.

Most of the effects and symptoms are manageable with treatment, but the treatments become less effective and more complicated over time. Living independently will also become more and more difficult as the disease worsens.

How long does Parkinsons disease last?

Parkinsons disease isnt curable, which means its a permanent, life-long condition.

Whats the outlook for Parkinsons disease?

Parkinson’s disease isn’t fatal, but the symptoms and effects are often contributing factors to death. The average life expectancy for Parkinson’s disease in 1967 was a little under 10 years. Since then, the average life expectancy has increased by about 55%, rising to more than 14.5 years. That, combined with the fact that Parkinson’s diagnosis is much more likely after age 60, means this condition doesn’t often affect your life expectancy by more than a few years .

Stooping Or Hunching Over

Are you not standing up as straight as you used to? If you or your family or friends notice that you seem to be stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease.What is normal? If you have pain from an injury or if you are sick, it might cause you to stand crookedly. Also, a problem with your bones can make you hunch over.

Parkinsons Disease Treatment Options

Parkinsons is incurable, but the symptoms can be managed as the disease progresses. Initially, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as ongoing aerobic exercise, healthy diet, and advice for avoiding falls.

Medication

Carbidopa-levodopa : Sometimes simply called Levodopa, is the most effective Parkinsons disease medication and has been since its breakthrough in the late 1960s. It is an effective first-line treatment for Parkinsons and comes in many formulations, including slow- and extended-release pills, and infusions. It works by introducing a natural chemical to the body which converts into dopamine in the brain. This helps reduce symptoms of stiffness and tremors. The medication does not slow the progression of the disease.
Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors: These pills can boost the effectiveness of carbidopa-levodopa. It helps block the brains dopamine breakdown to help reduce some of the tremors and motor symptoms of Parkinsons.
Dopamine agonists: This medication mimics the effect of dopamine in the brain and may be used with carbidopa-levodopa. It can be prescribed in the early stages of Parkinsons, and it can lengthen the effectiveness of carbidopa-levodopa.

Innovative surgical options

Clinical Trials

Trouble Moving Or Walking

Do you feel stiff in your body, arms or legs? Have others noticed that your arms dont swing like they used to when you walk? Sometimes stiffness goes away as you move. If it does not, it can be a sign of Parkinsons disease. An early sign might be stiffness or pain in your shoulder or hips. People sometimes say their feet seem stuck to the floor.

What is normal?If you have injured your arm or shoulder, you may not be able to use it as well until it is healed, or another illness like arthritis might cause the same symptom.

Read Also: Sam Waterston Parkinsons

Other Conditions Can Mimic Parkinsons

There are many types of Parkinsonian disorders, says Elana Clar, M.D., a movement disorders neurologist at New Jersey Brain and Spine in Oradell, NJ. Experts refer to Parkinsons disease as a brain disorder that progresses slowly with symptoms that include stiffness and tremors and, later, non-motor issues like depression and yes, hallucinations. Parkinsonism includes a range of conditions that look like Parkinsons but arent treatable with standard PD meds. They have additional symptoms, including falls and dementia. The problem? Those conditions sometimes mimic PD, with no single test to make a foolproof diagnosis.

Recommended Reading: What Actress Has Parkinson’s Disease

Description Of The Analytic Process

In August 2017, the AAN Guideline Subcommittee recruited a multidisciplinary panel of authors to develop this guideline. The panel included content and methodology experts, patient representatives, and a staff representative from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research. As required by the AAN, a majority of the members of the panel and the lead author are free of conflicts of interest relevant to this practice guideline. Five of the guideline developers were determined to have COI, but the COI were judged to be not significant enough to preclude them from authorship . Whereas the development of this guideline primarily followed the 2017 edition of the AANs Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual, this edition of the manual was not published by the time of the guideline initiation. Therefore, disclosures were reviewed following the previous process found in the 2011 Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual. The full author panel was solely responsible for the final decisions about the design, analysis, and reporting of the systematic review and practice guideline, which was submitted for approval to the AAN GS.

Treatment Options For Parkinsons

Parkinson’s Disease Symposium: Early, Mid and Late Stages

While there is no cure for Parkinsons at this time, there are a number of treatments that can ease symptoms. Parkinsons medications are the mainstay of treatment, but modalities are often used in combination. Physical, occupational and speech therapy can be critical to the treatment plan. Surgical options also have an important role for a subset of patients with Parkinsons disease. Finally, complementary therapies can be used to treat some Parkinsons disease symptoms. Your physician and other healthcare professionals can help you determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine And Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine views disease as caused by internal imbalances. It has historically been used to treat Parkinson disease with acupuncture and individually prepared herbal remedies. One study showed that acupuncture improved symptoms in a small group of people with Parkinson disease. People with Parkinson disease may also find that acupuncture helps them sleep better. If you consult a TCM practitioner, make sure your doctor is aware of any suggested treatment.

What Medications Are Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease

Medications are the main treatment method for patients with Parkinsons disease. Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan best suited for you based on the severity of your disease at the time of diagnosis, side effects of the drug class and success or failure of symptom control of the medications you try.

Medications combat Parkinsons disease by:

Helping nerve cells in the brain make dopamine.
Mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain.
Blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain.
Reducing some specific symptoms of Parkinsons disease.

Levodopa: Levodopa is a main treatment for the slowness of movement, tremor, and stiffness symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine, which replenishes the low amount found in the brain of persons with Parkinsons disease. Levodopa is usually taken with carbidopa to allow more levodopa to reach the brain and to prevent or reduce the nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure and other side effects of levodopa. Sinemet® is available in an immediate release formula and a long-acting, controlled release formula. Rytary® is a newer version of levodopa/carbidopa that is a longer-acting capsule. The newest addition is Inbrija®, which is inhaled levodopa. It is used by people already taking regular carbidopa/levodopa for when they have off episodes .

Read Also: Can Parkinson’s Patients Drive

What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease

Symptoms of Parkinsons disease and the rate of decline vary widely from person to person. The most common symptoms include:

Other symptoms include:

Speech/vocal changes: Speech may be quick, become slurred or be soft in tone. You may hesitate before speaking. The pitch of your voice may become unchanged .
Handwriting changes: You handwriting may become smaller and more difficult to read.
Depression and anxiety.

Few Facts About Parkinsons Disease

Here are a few facts about Parkinsons disease, which you should know affirmatively.

Parkinsons disease is a disease of nervous system.
Parkinsons disease is progressive disease.
This nervous system disease commonly affects male populations.
This is also known as shaking palsy. Therefore some Ayurveda physicians use the word Kampa Vata for the condition of Parkinsons disease.
In 2015, Parkinsons Disease affected 6.2 million people and resulted in about 117,400 deaths globally
In start Parkinsons remains silent. Therefore diagnosis is delayed.
Tremors during rest are common in Parkinsons.
The main problem is always disability in movement.
Restricted movements doesnt allow a patient to move freely.
Above all this condition doesnt have any treatment yet, with allopathy medicines.
This comes in a list of incurable diseases, as per the modern medicine.
It was considered to be a disease of old age.
Nowadays, patients in early ages are more evident.
Genetic factors are responsible for this degenerative disease of central nervous system.

Patients need to depend on the chemicals. Dosage of medicine increases regularly so are the complications of the disease.

We need to find what Ayurveda can offer for the treatment of this challenging condition. And how can the Ayurveda treatment regime be helpful in Parkinsons disease?

Risk Factors For Parkinsons Disease

The cause of Parkinsons remains unknown, but several factors can contribute to its development, including a family history of the disease. Men are more likely to develop Parkinsons, and most people develop the disease around age 60 or older, although in 10% of cases it can begin as early as age 40.

What Are The Implications

According to this research, levodopa is unlikely to affect the progression of Parkinsons disease in the first year and a half following diagnosis.

Symptoms had improved to the same extent by 80 weeks and side effects were similar, suggesting people can start treatment as early as they need to for symptomatic relief.

This supports current practice in giving levodopa when clinically needed. There is no cure for Parkinsons disease, and further research is in progress to develop disease-modifying agents.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Main Cause Of Parkinson Disease

What Causes The Condition

Although there are several recognized risk factors for Parkinsons disease, such as exposure to pesticides, for now, the only confirmed causes of Parkinsons disease are genetic. When Parkinsons disease isnt genetic, experts classify it as idiopathic . That means they dont know exactly why it happens.

Many conditions look like Parkinson’s disease but are instead parkinsonism from a specific cause like some psychiatric medications.

Familial Parkinsons disease

Parkinsons disease can have a familial cause, which means you can inherit it from one or both of your parents. However, this only makes up about 10% of all cases.

Experts have linked at least seven different genes to Parkinson’s disease. They’ve linked three of those to early-onset of the condition . Some genetic mutations also cause unique, distinguishing features.

Idiopathic Parkinsons disease

Experts believe idiopathic Parkinsons disease happens because of problems with how your body uses a protein called -synuclein . Proteins are chemical molecules that have a very specific shape. When some proteins dont have the correct shape a problem known as protein misfolding your body cant use them and can’t break them down.

With nowhere to go, the proteins build up in various places or in certain cells . The buildup of these Lewy bodies causes toxic effects and cell damage.

Induced Parkinsonism

The possible causes are:

Antipsychotics Can Trigger Pd

The Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

When you have Parkinsons, your brain doesnt make enough dopamine, says Dr. Clar. Thats the feel-good chemical that’s also responsible for sending signals from your brain to the muscles in your body that control movement. Antipsychotic meds block dopamine receptors in the brain. So, even though your brain might still be producing dopamine, it cant send signals the right way, thanks to those drugs. The result is that a person can have the physical symptoms of Parkinsons but not actually have Parkinson’s, says Dr. Clar. Some of that confusion could have muddied the results of the study, too.

Also Check: Stretches For Parkinson’s Patients

Can Parkinson’s Disease Be Cured

No, Parkinson’s disease is not curable. However, it is treatable, and many treatments are highly effective. It might also be possible to delay the progress and more severe symptoms of the disease.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Parkinson’s disease is a very common condition, and it is more likely to happen to people as they get older. While Parkinson’s isn’t curable, there are many different ways to treat this condition. They include several different classes of medications, surgery to implant brain-stimulation devices and more. Thanks to advances in treatment and care, many can live for years or even decades with this condition and can adapt to or receive treatment for the effects and symptoms.

Physical Occupational And Speech Therapy

Physical, occupational and speech therapists can be important partners in the treatment of Parkinsons disease. Physical therapy can improve your gait and direct you to the right exercise regimen. Occupational therapy can be helpful to maximize your fine motor skills. Speech therapy can be useful to address speech and language barriers that may arise with Parkinsons disease.

Don’t Miss: Stem Cells For Parkinson’s Disease Therapy

Medication Guidelines For Parkinson’s Disease

There is no one best mix of Parkinsonâs medicines. You and your doctor will have to try a few treatment approaches to figure out the best one for you.

But there are some general guidelines for taking your medication. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist for any specific tips for your treatment.

Symptomatic And Neuroprotective Therapy

Pharmacologic treatment of Parkinson disease can be divided into symptomatic and neuroprotective therapy. At this time, there is no proven neuroprotective or disease-modifying therapy.

Levodopa, coupled with carbidopa, a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor , remains the gold standard of symptomatic treatment for Parkinson disease. Carbidopa inhibits the decarboxylation of levodopa to dopamine in the systemic circulation, allowing for greater levodopa distribution into the central nervous system. Levodopa provides the greatest antiparkinsonian benefit for motor signs and symptoms, with the fewest adverse effects in the short term however, its long-term use is associated with the development of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Once fluctuations and dyskinesias become problematic, they are difficult to resolve.

Monoamine oxidase -B inhibitors can be considered for initial treatment of early disease. These drugs provide mild symptomatic benefit, have excellent adverse effect profiles, and, according to a Cochrane review, have improved long-term outcomes in quality-of-life indicators by 20-25%.

Neuroprotective therapy aims to slow, block, or reverse disease progression such therapies are defined as those that slow underlying loss of dopamine neurons. Although no therapy has been proven to be neuroprotective, there remains interest in the long-term effects of MAO-B inhibitors. Other agents currently under investigation include creatine and isradipine.

Also Check: Parkinson’s Disease And Death

Managing Your Symptoms With Medication

Almost all patients with Parkinsons disease eventually need to take medication to help with their motor symptoms. Several classes of medications are available and can be viewed here. Carbidopa/Levodopa remains the most effective symptomatic therapy and is available in many strengths and formulations. It also may be used in combination with other classes of medications including Dopamine Agonists, COMT Inhibitors, MAO Inhibitors, and Anticholinergic agents. Treatment is highly individualized and adjusted over time based on symptoms and side effects.

Treatment For Early Stage Parkinson’s Disease