Facing Life's Uncertainties with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disease, affects more than one million Americans and a staggering estimated 7-10 million people worldwide. According to statistics, approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed each year. Despite the number of people diagnosed with this unfortunate neurological disease, the exact causes for having Parkinson’s disease still remain unknown.

But with the help of modern technology and continued researches, Parkinson’s disease has a lot of treatment options and alternative methods. Various organizations worldwide are readily available to help communities and to educate the public about Parkinson’s disease.

Since there is still no absolute cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are various modes of treatment patients can undergo and try. These treatments may vary for everyone since not all cases are alike. It is best to talk and coordinate with doctors for treatment plans.

The most common mode of treatment is through oral medications. Taking medicines may start once the symptoms are already disrupting daily activities. Commonly, the oral medications help correct the scarcity of dopamine. Since the disease is progressive, medications may change as well. However, these medications only help to control symptoms and have various side effects with it.

For patients with more severe and advanced Parkinson’s disease, it may come to a point where surgery is needed. Despite this, a cure is still not guaranteed. Medicines are still needed after surgery, but they won’t be as many as compared to the medications before having a surgery. However, not every advanced Parkinson’s disease is advised for a surgery, especially for patients who have accompanying illnesses in the heart, lungs, and kidney. In addition, patients diagnosed with both Parkinson’s disease and cancer, dementia, and psychiatric disorders are also not advised to undergo a surgery.

Home treatments and an alternative method of healing

Aside from traditional oral medications, some diagnosed patients choose to go through the alternative healing path or combine both. Also, some patients also embody holistic healing in which they undergo mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical therapies to try and control their Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Here are the most common alternative healing methods:

Change your diet

One of the easiest treatments anyone can try is a healthier diet. For people suffering with Parkinson’s disease a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meat, and a low-fat dairy products is highly recommended. It is also recommended to avoid produce with high chemical content. Organic and safely produced food products are the best choice. However, a doctor and/or nutritionist’s advice is a must.

Exercise and physical therapy

Exercise can benefit sufferers by reducing stiffness, improve mobility and posture, and maintain balance and gait. Aerobic exercises help increase oxygen and neurotransmitters in the lungs, heart, and entire nervous system. In addition, it can help reduce signs and symptoms of depression. According to study, the best exercises for diagnosed patients are aerobic and learning-based exercises. These can be a neuroprotective activity for the patient.

Aside from this, patients can also try yoga, dancing, tai chi classes, ping pong, tennis, and even swimming. Biking may not be advised unless it is stationary. Lifting light weights can be beneficial for diagnosed patients as well.

Inspiring stories from diagnosed patients

Some people may think that having a degenerative neurological disease can halt life, but that is not the case. Life does not simply stop just because a diagnosis is made. To inspire Parkinson’s patients worldwide, here are a few motivational and inspiring stories that prove that there is more to life than a disease’s misery.