How Might Homeopathy Help
Homeopaths believe homeopathy can help with any condition in which the body has the potential to self-repair. As a result, they suggest homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Homeopathy is popular. However, despite extensive research, theres no good quality evidence that homeopathy is effective as a treatment for any health condition. There are no studies on homeopathy for Parkinsons.
Homeopathy isnt widely available on the NHS. In 2017, NHS England recommended that GPs and other prescribers should stop providing it. It is available privately.
Practitioners
Some health professionals, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists, are trained in homeopathy and use it alongside conventional medical treatment. Theyre all regulated by their relevant professional body for example, GPs are regulated by the General Medical Council.
Some homeopaths arent medically qualified. Currently, there are no national standards of training and accreditation for these practitioners. If you decide to see a homeopath who isnt medically qualified, you should check theyre insured and registered with a professional body.
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How Might Chiropractic Help
Chiropractic is commonly used for conditions affecting the muscles, bones and joints. Most people use chiropractic to relieve pain, especially back and neck pain. Theres some evidence that chiropractic can help with this.
Chiropractic can also be used to treat mental health conditions, such as phobias, depression and anxiety, but there is little evidence of its effectiveness.
There are no studies on the effects of chiropractic on people with Parkinsons.
How Is Parkinsons Disease Treated
If a doctor thinks a person has Parkinsons disease, theres reason for hope. Medicine can be used to eliminate or improve the symptoms, like the body tremors. And some experts think that a cure may be found soon.
For now, a medicine called levodopa is often given to people who have Parkinsons disease. Called L-dopa, this medicine increases the amount of dopamine in the body and has been shown to improve a persons ability to walk and move around. Other drugs also help decrease and manage the symptoms by affecting dopamine levels. In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat it. The person would get anesthesia, a special kind of medicine to prevent pain during the operation.
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Parkinsons Disease Treatment & Therapies
Parkinsons disease treatment and therapies aim to relieve symptoms and maintain functioning to improve quality of life. There is currently no cure for Parkinsons disease. Many years may pass before early symptoms progress to the point of interfering with normal activities.
Medication therapy is the most widely used and most effective Parkinsons disease treatment. Neurologists, or other specialists, may try several medications or a combination of PD drugs to develop a unique treatment plan for you. The goal of Parkinsons disease treatment is to manage symptoms while keeping side effects minimal. Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, also known as DBS, may be an option for select patients who have responded well to medication therapy.
Exercise and physical activity are also highly recommended for Parkinsons patients. Exercise and staying active overall are now believed to slow the progression of the disease and also increase the ability to remain independent. Tai Chi, Yoga, and dance are a few exercise programs that seem to benefit PD patients, especially with regard to balance and gait training. Visit the PAC current Exercise Programs page to see what exercise programs are currently being offered throughout the Carolinas.
Deep Brain Stimulation SurgerySurgery may be an option to relieve symptoms for some people with Parkinsons. International experts in PD gathered in 2011 to collaborate and publish an expert consensus on Deep Brain Stimulation .
Top Ways To Treat Parkinsons Disease
This content was developed in partnership with the Parkinsons Foundation.
Every person living with Parkinsons disease experiences symptoms, disease progression and treatments that are unique to them. There is no single treatment plan that works for everyone.
The most common way to treat and manage PD symptoms include medications, exercise, rehabilitation therapies and surgical procedures. Treatment plans should be tailored to respond to an individuals symptoms and personal circumstances. While there is currently no cure for PD, the goals of treatment are to minimize symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
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Monoamine Oxidase Type B Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors such as selegiline and rasagiline are another class of drug recommended by NICE as first-line therapy for PD. Their effects are mild, so they are probably best reserved for patients with mild disease they are generally very well tolerated. Interest has been renewed in their value after data from a delayed-start trial showed that patients with mild PD treated from the outset with 1 mg rasagiline had slightly less severe symptoms at 18 months than those patients in whom treatment was delayed for nine months, which suggests that earlier treatment may confer advantages for some patients.
Impact On Families And Carers
Informal carers spendmany hours dailyproviding care for people living with PD.This can be overwhelming. Physical, emotional and financial pressures can cause great stress to families and carers, and support is required from the health, social, financial and legal systems. Useful support resources from other conditions can be drawn upon, such as WHOs iSupport programme for dementia.
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Glucagonlike Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists And Other Antidiabetic Agents
Biological processes involved in PD share common features with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus , including the dysregulation of insulin signaling in the brain. The term brain insulin resistance has been suggested to describe decreased sensitivity of CNS pathways to insulin, followed by disturbances in synaptic, metabolic and immune response functions . Strategies to normalize insulin sensitivity in neurons have thus been in the spotlight of clinical trials aiming to establish whether they may provide neuroprotective actions.
The neuroprotective effect of GLP-1 RAs is assumed to be mediated by improved brain insulin sensitivity however, human studies evaluating their biological effect in the CNS are limited. Functional MRI imaging studies have primarily focused on investigating brain networks involved in the anorectic effect of GLP-1 RAs , but sparse mechanistic data are available for understanding neuroprotective effects of these drugs. In a more recent trial of exenatide in PD, disease modifying effects measured by nigrostriatal dopamine transporter imaging were reported . Subsequently, brain insulin and Akt signaling pathways were also evaluated in neuronal-derived exosomes and it was shown that exenatide treatment, but not placebo, activated these pathways . This significant, secondary analysis of the trial increases understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the treatment effect and provides a possible biomarker to measure target engagement.
How Might Massage Therapy Help
Research suggests that massage may help to reduce pain and anxiety and depression, although theres no conclusive evidence. Abdominal massage may also help with constipation.
Many people with Parkinsons and their carers have told us they find massage therapy useful as a way to relax and to have time to themselves.
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Surgery For People With Parkinsons Disease
Deep brain stimulation surgery is an option to treat Parkinsons disease symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone. There are strict criteria and guidelines on who can be a candidate for surgery, and this is something that only your doctor and you can decide. Surgery may be considered early or late in the progression of Parkinsons. When performing deep-brain stimulation surgery, the surgeon places an electrode in the part of the brain most effected by Parkinsons disease. Electrical impulses are introduced to the brain, which has the effect of normalising the brains electrical activity reducing the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. The electrical impulse is introduced using a pacemaker-like device called a stimulator. Thalamotomy and pallidotomy are operations where the surgeon makes an incision on part of the brain. These surgeries aim to alleviate some forms of tremor or unusual movement, but they are rarely performed now.
Tips For Daily Living
If you are already living with Parkinsons disease, here are some tips to manage it:
- Exercise your brain. Read, work on crossword puzzle, do Sudoku, or engage in other activities that use your brain.
- Get moving. If you feel comfortable walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike, go for itand try to do it on a regular basis.
- Try tai chi. We think of tai chi as a mind-body exercise, and it is, but it also has roots as a martial art in China. A 2012 study found that practicing tai chi helped people with moderate Parkinsons disease maintain stability and balance. And a 2014 study found that tai chi can help people reduce their risk of falling. It incorporates a flowing series of coordinated movements to help you maintain flexibility, strength and balance, and it can be easily adapted to meet your abilities.
- Practice yoga. You dont have to perform headstands or other physically challenging poses to get significant benefits from practicing yoga. You can improve your balance, mobility, flexibility, and strength with a form thats adapted for you.
- Find a support group. Whether you prefer an online support group or a group that meets in person, a support group can be an invaluable resource for helping you live with Parkinsons disease.
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Foods That Are Hard To Chew
Another Parkinsons symptom is difficulty chewing and swallowing. In fact, its estimated that 80% of people with this condition experience difficulty swallowing as the disease progresses .
Choosing foods that are easy to chew and swallow may be important, as may working with a speech language therapist.
When To Contact A Doctor
If you have a family history of Parkinsons disease, you may wish to talk with a doctor about your potential risks or even explore genetic testing. However, its important to remember that not all people with a family history of Parkinsons disease will be affected.
Signs of Parkinsons disease can be different for every person. Parkinsons is usually separated into premotor, motor, and cognitive stages. These dont necessarily occur in a particular order, and not everyone will experience them all.
As explained by the Parkinsons Foundation, common early symptoms include:
- tremor, or involuntary shaking of the hands
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Treatment For Parkinsons Disease With Traditional Medications
To treat Parkinsons , its best to follow your Doctors guidance. The use of natural remedies and other alternatives not based on scientific evidence can be counterproductive.
Therefore, its best not to resort to them .
Heres eight of the main medications and therapies used in the treatment for Parkinsons disease according to most medical institutions:
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Support For People Living With Parkinsons Disease
While the progression of Parkinsons is usually slow, eventually a persons daily routines may be affected. Activities such as working, taking care of a home, and participating in social activities with friends may become challenging. Experiencing these changes can be difficult, but support groups can help people cope. These groups can provide information, advice, and connections to resources for those living with Parkinsons disease, their families, and caregivers. The organizations listed below can help people find local support groups and other resources in their communities.
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Foods High In Saturated Fat
Although the specific role of saturated fat in Parkinsons is still being studied, research suggests that a high dietary fat intake may increase your risk of this disease .
Generally speaking, diets high in saturated fat have been linked to chronic conditions like heart disease. As such, you may wish to keep these foods in moderation (
- some baked and fried foods
Conversely, a very small study notes that the keto diet which is high in fat is beneficial for some people with Parkinsons. However, a low fat diet also showed benefits. Overall, more research is needed .
Parkinsons Disease: Causes Symptoms And Treatments
Parkinsons disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking. They may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue.
While virtually anyone could be at risk for developing Parkinsons, some research studies suggest this disease affects more men than women. Its unclear why, but studies are underway to understand factors that may increase a persons risk. One clear risk is age: Although most people with Parkinsons first develop the disease after age 60, about 5% to 10% experience onset before the age of 50. Early-onset forms of Parkinsons are often, but not always, inherited, and some forms have been linked to specific gene mutations.
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Who Does It Affect
The risk of developing Parkinsons disease naturally increases with age, and the average age at which it starts is 60 years old. Its slightly more common in men or people designated male at birth than in women or people designated female at birth .
While Parkinsons disease is usually age-related, it can happen in adults as young as 20 .
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.
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How Are Cognitive Issues Diagnosed
Common ways to assess and diagnose cognitive disorders:
- Interview the person with PD.
- Ask family members or care partners about their observations.
- Administer cognitive screening tests such as the Mini-Mental State Examination or Montreal Cognitive Assessment . The neurologist will ask questions that evaluate the persons understanding of where and who they are, the date and year, attention, memory, language and problem-solving skills.
- A neurologist may suggest seeing a clinical neuropsychologist for a more detailed assessment.
- Neuropsychological assessment can be an important diagnostic tool for differentiating PD from other illnesses such as Alzheimers disease, stroke or dementia.
What Are The Side Effects Of Parkinson’s Drugs
The most common reactions include nausea, vomiting, dizziness , sleepiness and visual hallucinations.
In the last few years, levodopa and dopamine agonists in particular have been associated with the emergence of behavioral changes such as impulse control disorders. These are characterized by failure to resist an impulse to perform certain actions.
Impulse control disorders include a range of behaviors such as compulsive gambling or shopping, hypersexuality, binge eating, addiction to the Internet or to other recreational activities. These activities are often pleasant in the moment, but over time may become harmful to you or to others. If you are experiencing these behaviours, tell your neurologist/doctor. Often the medication can be adjusted which can reduce or control the behaviour.
Care partners can play an important role in helping to identify when these behaviours occur. If you are a care partner, tell the person if you have noticed a change in his/her behaviour or personality and encourage him/him/her to speak with the doctor immediately so medication can be adjusted.
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How Is It Diagnosed
Diagnosing Parkinsons disease is mostly a clinical process, meaning it relies heavily on a healthcare provider examining your symptoms, asking you questions and reviewing your medical history. Some diagnostic and lab tests are possible, but these are usually needed to rule out other conditions or certain causes. However, most lab tests arent necessary unless you dont respond to treatment for Parkinsons disease, which can indicate you have another condition.
What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects older people most often, and men more often than women. Its believed to be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
Characteristics of Parkinsons include tremors, muscle stiffness, poor balance and difficulty walking. Although symptoms vary from person to person, with time simple tasks like getting dressed in the morning or going to work can often become a chore.
Because Parkinsons disease is a chronic condition, symptoms usually persist over a long period of time and also progress with age. Each Parkinsons patient is different, so its common to experience varying levels of different symptoms. For this reason, some patients respond better to certain natural treatments than others.
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