How To Prevent Parkinsons
While its not yet known if there are surefire ways to prevent Parkinsons disease, there are a few things experts recommend.
For example, you might try incorporating physical activity into your routine and eating a healthy and balanced diet for a variety of health reasons. So far, research into nutritional supplements is lacking. However, if you have specific dietary needs, talk to your doctor to see if supplementation is appropriate.
Could CBD oil help? Its possible, but we dont know for sure yet. Some research, including , suggest that cannabidiol might help prevent Parkinsons disease. However, the studies are mostly animal studies and there is not yet a body of research involving humans and CBD.
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.
Clinical Trials
Complementary And Alternative Medicine
There isn’t strong evidence that massage is beneficial for Parkinson’s disease, but it might help reduce muscle tension and can help you relax.
Acupuncture and dietary supplements have not been found to be effective in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In particular, research has shown coenzyme Q-10 and creatine had no effects beyond that of placebos. Vitamin E supplements raised concerns that they could be harmful in Parkinson’s disease.
Some patients find that medical marijuana or CBD oil helps with symptoms of pain and may help improve sleep, but there is no specific evidence supporting benefits.
Don’t Miss: Parkinson’s Disease And Weight Loss
Naturalremedy For Parkinsons #7 Omega
Animal based omega-3 fatty acids are a powerful weapon inthe fight against Parkinsons disease. One of the main fatty acids, DHA, is oneof the essential building blocks for the human brain. Half of your brain andeyes are made up of fat and a large proportion of this is DHA fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids have the unique ability to cross theblood-brain barrier, something most conventional drugs cannot do. They helpincrease dopamine levels and reduce neuroinflammation in the brain, while atthe same time, stimulating neuron growth. So basically, EPA and DHA help preventbrain cell damage and keep the nervous system in tip top working order! 4
Best sources of animal based omega-3s are either fishoil, cod liver oil or krill oil. High strength krill oil is the preferred option as thiscontains a substance called Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a potent brain food nutrientthat has been shown to prevent neurodegeneration and inflammation of the brain.For dosages, take AT LEAST the highest recommended amount listed on the bottle the same goes with fish oil or cod liver oil. You cant overdose on thesesupplements so theres nothing to be concerned about. In fact, the more omega-3syou can get into you the better the results!
In addition to this, try and eat some cold water fattyfish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines or herring 3-4 times a week foran extra supply of DHA and EPA.
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: Parkinson’s And Bad Taste In Mouth
What Makes Parkinsons Disease Worse
Stress and depression have been shown to exacerbate symptoms. You should also avoid medications that block dopamine, which includes some headache and gastrointestinal medications. Even if you avoid these, inevitably, Parkinsons disease will progress and time will, unfortunately, bring worsening symptoms.
What Is The Outlook For Persons With Parkinsons Disease
Although there is no cure or absolute evidence of ways to prevent Parkinsons disease, scientists are working hard to learn more about the disease and find innovative ways to better manage it, prevent it from progressing and ultimately curing it.
Currently, you and your healthcare teams efforts are focused on medical management of your symptoms along with general health and lifestyle improvement recommendations . By identifying individual symptoms and adjusting the course of action based on changes in symptoms, most people with Parkinsons disease can live fulfilling lives.
The future is hopeful. Some of the research underway includes:
- Using stem cells to produce new neurons, which would produce dopamine.
- Producing a dopamine-producing enzyme that is delivered to a gene in the brain that controls movement.
- Using a naturally occurring human protein glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor, GDNF to protect dopamine-releasing nerve cells.
Many other investigations are underway too. Much has been learned, much progress has been made and additional discoveries are likely to come.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Initial Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease
Natural Treatment For Parkinsons #1 Cannabis/medicalmarijuana:
Cannabis, aka medical marijuana, is an incredibletreatment for Parkinsons disease. You can have a Parkinsons patient shakingviolently and uncontrollably, and yet within 30-40 minutes of self-administering with some cannabis, their symptoms will almost completely disappear. Watch this short 2minute video from Parkinsons sufferer, Ian Frizell, who shows you what he waslike before self-medicating with cannabis and then again after. The change is truly astonishing!
Taylor French is another Parkinsons patient thatundergoes a remarkable transformation once he ingests what he calls nutritional vegetable extract . This guy has an advanced form ofParkinsons and is normally confined to a wheelchair with limited use of hisbody due to stiff and rigid muscles . But after ingestingsome cannabis hes able to walk, and incredibly, in his video he even getsinto his car and drives off down the road!
You can view it here
Elyse Del Francia also tells the story of her Parkinsonssuffering husband, and the time she decided to smother his morning pancakes withsome canabutter. She said
Within45 minutes of eating a pancake with marijuana on it, he stopped shaking. Thatwas my lightbulb moment. Thats when I knew that I was onto something thatwould relieve his pain and suffering, because its horrible, horrible, to haveParkinsons Disease and not have any relief. I feel that this is something thathelps so many people in so many ways with pain and suffering. 5
How Is Parkinsons Disease Treated
There is no cure for Parkinsons disease. However, medications and other treatments can help relieve some of your symptoms. Exercise can help your Parkinsons symptoms significantly. In addition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy can help with walking and balance problems, eating and swallowing challenges and speech problems. Surgery is an option for some patients.
Don’t Miss: Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease Life Expectancy
Cannabis Substitute Against Dyskinesia In Parkinsons Syndrome
Australian researchers from the University of Technology Sydney published the results of their interesting study in 2019, in which they tested the cannabis substitute HU-308 in mice with Parkinsons disease . This was just as effective as the active substance amantadine, a drug used to treat dyskinesia in the context of Parkinsons disease. The simultaneous administration of amantadine and the cannabis substitute also proved to be effective. However, clinical studies on this are still lacking.
Diagnosis Of Parkinsons Disease
A number of disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s-like symptoms that result from other causes are sometimes said to have parkinsonism. While these disorders initially may be misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, certain medical tests, as well as response to drug treatment, may help to distinguish them from Parkinson’s. Since many other diseases have similar features but require different treatments, it is important to make an exact diagnosis as soon as possible.
There are currently no blood or laboratory tests to diagnose nongenetic cases of Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosis is based on a person’s medical history and a neurological examination. Improvement after initiating medication is another important hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.
Also Check: Can Mold Cause Parkinson’s Disease
What Causes This Disease
People with Parkinsons disease have a shortage of a chemical called Dopamine. Dopamine creates synchrony is the deep structures of the brain thereby producing normal movement. This happens because the cells that make dopamine in an area called the substantia nigra are no longer present. We do not know exactly how these changes happen. Many theories include accelerated aging and cell death, a genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, among others. It is probable that the disease is caused by a combination of the above.
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.
You May Like: Loss Of Smell And Parkinson’s
What To Expect From Your Doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Do you have symptoms all the time or do they come and go?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to make your symptoms worse?
© 1998-2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research . All rights reserved.Terms of use.
What Causes Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease occurs when nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra become impaired or die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps the cells of the brain communicate . When these nerve cells become impaired or die, they produce less dopamine. Dopamine is especially important for the operation of another area of the brain called the basal ganglia. This area of the brain is responsible for organizing the brains commands for body movement. The loss of dopamine causes the movement symptoms seen in people with Parkinsons disease.
People with Parkinsons disease also lose another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. This chemical is needed for proper functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. This system controls some of the bodys autonomic functions such as digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Loss of norepinephrine causes some of the non-movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Scientists arent sure what causes the neurons that produce these neurotransmitter chemicals to die.
You May Like: Tai Chi For Parkinson’s
Icipating In Clinical Trials
Clinical trials and their participants have revolutionized Parkinsons treatment, and have changed the lives dramatically of those affected. They have helped make available many new treatments in addition to improving the delivery methods of medications and new deep brain stimulation techniques.
Clinical trials are essential to the future of Parkinsons research, and APDA is committed to this vital effort.
Natural Treatment For Parkinsons #3 Turmeric And Otherherbs And Spices:
A recent study published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy, foundthat the extracts in turmeric, particularly curcumin and the newly discovered Ar-turmerone,can regenerate a damaged brain and reverse neurological disorders. Researchers said Ar-turmerone is a promising candidate to supportregeneration in neurologic disease. Michigan State University researcherBasir Ahmad also found that a compound in turmeric may help fight Parkinsonsdisease by disrupting the proteins responsible for the disease.
Another study published in the Pharmacognosy Magazine found that tumeric can prevent and evenreverse the toxic effects exerted on the brain from fluoride exposure. Fluorideis a nasty and dangerous heavy metal that destroys brain cells and the intricateworkings of the central nervous system. Fluoride poisoning has also beenimplicated in the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimers,Parkinsons, ALS and multiple sclerosis. 7
Turmeric is also a very potent anti-inflammatory spice. Because Parkinsons is aninflammation type disease, turmeric will help immensely. A heaped teaspoon ofhigh quality turmeric powder taken 3 times daily in asmoothie will do the trick. Just make sure you combine it with 10-12 blackpeppercorns for enhanced absorption Turmeric is also fat soluble so youll need tocombine it with some coconut oil, red palm oil or fish/krill oil as well.
Don’t Miss: Average Age Of Parkinson’s Onset
Medical Cannabis For Parkinsons Disease
Various studies have shown that cannabis for medical purposes can alleviate motor disorders and non-motor disorders such as restlessness, tremor, sleep disturbances or anxiety that occur in the context of Parkinsons disease. This is because cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, such as tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol , activate the CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Since the cannabinoid receptors also occur in the brain, the cannabinoids can exert their effect on the cell complex that is involved, among other things, in the regulation of motor skills.
Tips To Slow Or Stop Progression
Some suggest that you may be able to delay some of the effects of Parkinsons disease through regular physical activity. Ideally this would include a combination of exercise that includes:
- aerobic activity
- balance training
- functional activities
The NINDS has funded a number of studies to learn more about the impact of exercise, including whether exercise might help people delay the need for medication.
Also Check: How To Test Yourself For Parkinson’s
Treatment Of Neurobehavioral Features
Treatment of cognitive deficits associated with PD is as challenging as the treatment of Alzheimers disease and other dementias. While the general assumption has been that cognitive deficits are a feature of late-stage PD, clinically inapparent cognitive changes on neuropsychiatric testing may be found . With the introduction of cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil , rivastigmine , and galantamine and the NDMA antagonist memantine , it is possible that cognition, orientation and language function will improve, and that such improvement will lead to a meaningful improvement in function. Both donepezil and rivastigmine improve cognition to the same effect, but donepezil is better tolerated . The largest and best-designed study of rivastigmine in dementia associated with PD involved 541 patients enrolled in a 24-week randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial . The patients had a relatively mild dementia , with onset of dementia about 2 years after onset of PD symptoms. The mean ADAS-cog score, the primary efficacy variable, improved by 2.1 points in the rivastigmine group, compared to 0.7 in the placebo group , and the MMSE improved by 0.8 in the rivastigmine group and worsened by 0.2 in the placebo group . At the end of the study, 55.5% were receiving 9 to 12 mg. The adverse effects that were significantly more frequent in the rivastigmine group were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and tremor.
What Is A Common Side Effect Of Parkinson Disease Medications
Dyskinesias are uncontrollable body movements that can be forceful and painful. They are a side effect of levodopa, a medication that increases dopamine levels in the body and treats Parkinsons tremors, stiffness, and slowness. The movements may start as small tics but can worsen and lead to serious injury.
Recommended Reading: Parkinson’s Disease Environmental Factors
Parkinson’s Disease Tests And Diagnosis
There are, unfortunately, no standard tests for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Instead, doctors will make a diagnosis based on a review of their patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical and neurological examination. Doctors will also consider other conditions that may be causing the symptoms and order tests for them. This may include imaging tests that do not assist in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease.
Patients may also be prescribed disease-specific medication. If their condition improves significantly while taking the medication, it is likely confirmation of the diagnosis. Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease can take some time and require regular follow-up appointments to evaluate symptoms. Family members may also need to be consulted for information during this process as well.
Medical Treatment Of Parkinsons Disease
Enormous progress has been made in the treatment of Parkinsons disease over the past half century, but levodopa remains the most potent drug for controlling PD symptoms . Prior to instituting medical therapy, a correct diagnosis of PD must be established and the level of impairment determined . Each patients therapy is to be individualized, and diverse drugs other than levodopa are presently available. Among these are the dopamine agonists , catechol-o-methyl-transferase inhibitors and nondopaminergic agents . Head-to-head comparisons of drugs within classes are rare, and the differences that have emerged are related to the effects on motor fluctuations, dyskinesias, on/off times and adverse effects of the specific agents within each class .
Read Also: Signs Of Parkinson’s Disease