Parkinson’s Disease – What You need to know about it?

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders that is mostly seen in the elderly citizens, usually after the age of sixty. It is a movement disorder that is caused by the incremental deterioration of motor function and muscle control due to loss of dopamine-produced by malfunctioning brain cells. Typical symptoms include trembling of the limbs and head while resting, stiffness, slowness, tremors, shuffling gait and impaired balance. With further progression, patients with Parkinson’s disease may experience difficulty to even walk, talk or execute simple chores. Other symptoms may include depression, dementia and anxiety.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) Stages

PD is a progressive ailment with multiple stages, each of which is characterized by typical patterns.

Early PD – Mild Symptoms

Stage 1

• Symptoms are mild and are usually mild and most likely affect only one side of the body  (unilateral involvement)
• Symptoms include tremor of one hand, rigidity, clumsy leg,  facial expression affected on one side

Stage 2

• Symptoms of PD are evident on both sides of the body (bilateral involvement) or at the midline
• Symptoms  are   loss of facial expression on both sides, decreased blinking, speech abnormalities, rigidity of muscles in the trunk

Mid Stage PD-Moderate Symptoms
Stage 3

• Symptoms of PD are characterized by loss of balance and slowness of movement
• Typical symptoms- Balance is compromised, inability to make the rapid, automatic and involuntary adjustments, all other symptoms of PD (as in previous stages) may also be present

Advanced PD

Stage 4

• Symptoms of PD are severely disabled
• Patients are noticeably incapacitated, though they may still be able to walk and stand without assistance. However, they are unable to lead an independent lifestyle completely and require help.

Stage 5

• Symptoms of PD are severe and are characterized by an inability to rise
• Patients are likely to fall when standing or turning and may freeze or stumble when walking.
• Hallucinations and delusions may also occur.

Treatment for PD
Treatment for PD varies from person to person depending upon their health condition and symptoms and may not involve a standardised procedure. It could include

• Medications for increasing the dopamine by simulating receptors in the brain, anti-depressants, anti-tremor drugs and cognition enhancing medications
• Surgical Therapy
• Lifestyle Modifications including regular exercise regimes and getting adequate rest.

Exercises for PD
Exercise and physical activity are a crucial component in the treatment of PD. It helps to maintain balance, improves mobility and aids in performing daily living chores. It should incorporate

• Stretching  exercises for increasing body flexibility
• Aerobic activities
• Exercises for strengthening and improving overall body resistance
• This can be achieved by exercises like biking, running, yoga, dancing, Pilates, weight training and non-contact boxing. The type of exercise chosen depends on existing symptoms and physical limitations. For instance, in sedentary people, merely getting up and doing small movements is beneficial. More physically fit patients may attempt regular and vigorous activities. Exercises also reduce non-motor symptoms such as depression or constipation.

Parkinson Support Program (PSP)
PD includes a broad spectrum of symptoms, including movement- and non-movement-related problems. Hence patients with PD may wish to work with a variety of Health Care Providers (HCP) apart from the specialist who primarily treats the disease.  Parkinson Support Program essentially provides individualized support to both PD patients and their caregivers by educating them about the disease, providing personalised support, making meaningful suggestions for better interactions with concerned physicians about the symptoms and progression and even connecting them with  the correct movement disorder specialist who treats PD. PSP also aids in seeking the help of allied services  like physical therapists for helping  address painful muscle stiffness or a counselor who can provide strategies for coping with depression in PD patients. It is important to have an early professional intervention with   occupational or speech therapists for preventing or delaying future limitations in PD. Thus PSP helps patients manage their functionality and maintain a safe environment despite disease progression.

Conclusion
The progression of PD and the degree to which the body is impaired varies depending upon the health condition of each individual.  However, with proper intervention and treatment, most patients can lead a long, self-reliant and productive life for many years to come.

Yes, Stroke Can be Prevented in these 6 Ways!

Stoke is a dangerous disease unless caught at an early stage. Usually, the result of a stroke is always fatal. The condition happens due to various blockages occurring inside the blood vessels leading towards the brain. The blockage or a blood clot may be single or multiple that prevents the flow of blood, oxygen and other essential nutrients to the brain and starts to show the signs of stroke disease. A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. The complications may lead to temporary dysfunction of the organs to complete paralysis or even death. It is necessary to take proper precautions for stroke prevention. There are certain ways to the prevention of stroke disease

Preventive measures of stroke

• Control the cholesterol level

Fat and cholesterol are the main components which that compose the blockage of the blood vessels which further leads to stroke. Lofty consumption of food with high cholesterol content, saturated fat, trans fat, rich carbohydrate and starch content leads to serious complications and symptoms of stroke disease. At the same time, low cholesterol levels in the body also lead to stroke. So the cholesterol level has to be controlled and kept in check by eating healthy in the right amount of calories and being physically active in order to prevent the risks of having a stroke.

• Lower blood pressure

High blood pressure often leads to stroke. The problem of having high blood pressure will increase the pressure on the blood vessels and rupture them. The condition of high BP has to be controlled with proper medications and treatment from further dangerous health hazards. People with high blood pressure should check their blood pressure regularly and avoid the circumstances causing them high BP. Stress and depression usually cause the blood pressure to increase, so the patients have to stay relived and calm in all situations. Lowering the day to day salt intake also helps in reducing high blood pressure. 

• Quit Smoking

Immense cigarette smoking habit increases the cause of having a stroke. Cigarette consists of a lot different chemical substances that induce clot and other sorts of accumulations inside blood vessels. Prolonged smoking also affects the lungs and decreases the oxygen supply towards the brain which eventually causes a stroke. To quit smoking, use alternatives like gums, pills, patches, medicines etc., or approach professional guidance from doctors and therapists. 

• Control diabetes

People with diabetes also have the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and obesity. The chance of having a stroke for a diabetes patient is always at stake because of the higher sugar level in the blood usually leads to the formation of clots inside the blood vessels. Always restrain the blood sugar level and act as advised by the doctor. Follow proper diet restriction, exercise regularly and strictly take the medicines prescribed by the doctors to keep diabetes under control. 

• Treat Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Atrial fibrillation is a condition of having an irregular heartbeat and heart murmuring. Atrial fibrillation produces blood clots inside the blood vessels that causes both heart attack and stroke. Proper medical treatment is the only way to prevent atrial fibrillation and the symptoms caused. Follow the medications prescribed by the doctors to avoid the complications caused by A-fib. 

• Never get Obese

Obesity is the root cause of all complications like increased cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes etc., and its odds of causing stoke is over the roof. Regular exercise and physical activity lead to a tremendous weight loss which causes a major impact in the body. Even though you are not obese, regular exercise will help to not to develop any symptoms of stroke and other fatal complications.