The Similarities Between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases

September 21st is celebrated as World Alzheimer's Day, across the world. There is a significant need for the increased awareness on this neurodegenerative disorder. There are many scientific researches have found link between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, however concrete proofs need to be established on this. According to the medical journal Acta Neuropathologica medical a few found biological mechanisms that connect Parkinson's disease to Alzheimer's.

What is Parkinson's Disease (PD)?

Parkinson's disease was first discovered by Dr. James Parkinson. Parkinson's disease is diagnosed based on the three symptoms - slowed body movement, rigid muscles and shakes and tremors. These are the initial recognizable symptoms. A few patients also show other symptoms that include slurred speech, difficulty in getting up from a chair, losing control over body parts and expressionless face.

What is Alzheimer's Disease (AD)?

Alzheimer's can be defined as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and other cognitive abilities of the brain. The prolonged systems lead to reduced quality of life. The person may find it difficult to even remember the names of their family members. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a state of memory loss.

Similarities Between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases

As both diseases are considered as the neurodegenerative disorders, they share a few similarities. The cognitive impairment similarities between PD and AD are almost similar. Based on the location of the disease occurrence in the brain, PD is referred as subcortical and AD as cortical. This is the reason why the symptoms of PD are more related to movement and AD symptoms more on the cognitive side.

• Depression

Both the diseases show the symptoms of depression but the influence of it could be seen on the higher side in AD than in PD. The depression in a PD case is more responsive to the antidepressant treatment compared to the AD.

• Psychotic Symptoms

Psychotic symptoms can be seen in both AD and PD. Delusions, hallucination and a state of paranoid are among the common psychotic symptoms in the advanced conditions. The development of these symptoms occurs at a higher rate in AD context, compared to PD. However, the medications used to treat the motor conditions in PD, depending on the dose, can lead to paranoid ideas.

• Anxiety

Anxiety is another common symptom in these two disorders. And, it is common to use antidepressant and antianxiety medications to treat the conditions but it is important to keep the side-effects of medications. The excessive use of medications for anxiety will lead to major health issues that affect the overall health quality. Behavioral treatment for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's is a better treatment approach than the medications.

• Deterred Quality of Sleep

It is another common symptom that could be observed in both these neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, in Parkinson's disease, the issue termed as REM (rapid eye movement) causes more disturbance during the sleep. In AD too, the depression associated with anxiety will become the major obstacles for a quality sleep.

• Changed Personality

Seniors experience various cognitive and physical impairments in these conditions and their overall personality will get affected. Undergoing the treatment and all the medications will have a severe effect on their typical characteristics. The movement disorders in PD will reduce their outgoing and social life; AD will have the same impact by reducing the cognitive ability of a person.

It is important to know that medications that are used in one condition may show a negative impact on another condition. For instance, most of the medications prescribed to treat AD will show a negative impact on PD, due to its typical movement disorders. Identifying the cognitive and behavioral similarities and distinguishing the conditions in a better way. This helps in the diagnosis process as well as in better treatment approach.

Aromatherapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Aromatherapy is known for its benefits when it comes to progressive neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease. Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses fragrant and aromatic essential oils to ease the ailments associated with the health condition. 

Massages with essential oils help the individuals to manage the pains and muscle cramps, effectively. It is unfortunate that there is a very fewer number of individuals who choose this therapy to ease their symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease.

Many types of researches have proven that essential oils help in fighting cancer and other therapeutic conditions. They are believed to be beneficiary not only on the body but also on the senses and on the spirit. Many essential oils are being employed to treat the health complications that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease. 

You could avail the Aromatherapy if you are experiencing the following the symptoms:

• Muscle spasms
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiousness
• Restlessness

Many individuals with Parkinson’s Disease use the lavender essential oil. However, we are listing down few other oils that help you in easing your symptoms.

• For Managing Relaxation and Depression
• Lavender is the best remedy for the relaxation and restlessness.
• Lavender oil not only makes you feel less anxious but also makes you sleep better.
• This is the first choice of essential oils for many people with Parkinson’s Disease.
• This will also help with other symptoms such as restlessness and tired feel.
• Lavender is anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal, which could make the best solution for the individuals with minor cuts on the skin.
• Depression and Lack of Energy
• Seniors with Parkinson’s Disease may feel depressed more than often due to the symptoms of the disease and the other psychological factors.
• They may also feel that the energy is drained.
• A regular massage with the energizing and stimulating oils would help them to negotiate with these conditions.
• Citrus oils such as lemon, lime and orange oils are best to treat the depression.
• Also, mint oils such as peppermint and spearmint are helpful in cheering up the mood and restoring the energy.
• For Appetite Stimulation
• It is common to hear seniors with Parkinson’s complain about the loss of appetite and the medications are the ones to blame.
• Using essential oils for appetite stimulation is proven to be effective.
• Try inhaling the ginger and peppermint oils at least half an hour before taking food.
• These two oils also help individuals who are suffering from nausea and vomiting sensations.
• For Headaches
• To ease the headaches, use the lavender oil for a gentle massage on the temples.
• Oils such as peppermint and marjoram are also effective for headaches that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease.
• Use these oils and massage gently on the aching area for a better relief.

Also, you could use oils such as lavender, jasmine and Roman Chamomile for sleep-related issues such as insomnia.

A section of essential oils that work for an individual does not necessarily work for others. You may need to explore the best oil that suit to your body condition, as the body reaction to the oils differ from person to person. 

Most doctors do not consider the Aromatherapy as a treatment option for Parkinson’s but few doctors believe that it is, in fact, effective to alleviate the symptoms. However, it is advisable for you to consult your doctor first before undergoing the therapy sessions with aromatic oils. Especially, if you have any allergic conditions, it is important to check with your doctor to know the oils that suit your body.

Tips to regain your Balance after Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability that occurs because of permanent damage to brain and may lead to difficulty in movement, balancing, pain, memory loss, loss of function (of affected part), fatigue , emotional and psychological problems. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can be temporary or permanent in nature. Many of the Stroke survivors face problems in balancing which may affect their ability to walk and also increases the risk of falling. Besides balancing some people may also have feeling of dizziness or spinning sensation (due to stroke) which can further increase the risk of falling to five times.

Balancing while walking requires coordination between ears, eyes and brain. Any damage caused by stroke in part of brain that control coordination of movement may hamper balancing. Similarly, impaired vision, hearing or inability to process information in relation to affected side of the body may also lead to imbalance. The other evident reason for balance problems in stroke survivors is that one side of the body (unaffected side) becomes stronger than the other.

Physical activity in form of exercise, yoga or any pleasurable activity can bring tremendous change in their lives. Physical activity will not only help in recovering from present disability but also prevent another episode of stroke. Physical therapy makes the patient more independent, boosts confidence, improves overall health and helps reduce depression and anxiety (related to the disease). Physical activity in any form helps improve heart function, lowers BP and the resting heart rate. It improves the overall metabolism. It improves the lipid profile by reducing total cholesterol. It also reduces the risk and severity of diabetes and improves the brain health by increasing strength, tolerance and endurance of the body.

Survivors are advised to start with stroke physical therapy for regaining balance as early as possible (after the stabilisation of the vitals).It may take a while for the body to start walking after a stroke. Initially easy and less strenuous exercises are suggested which can be gradually increased once body’s endurance and strength improves. Aim is to take small steps that will lead to long lasting healthy changes in body. During the recovery period, neither patient nor the caregiver should get discouraged because of the physical disability. Instead a lot of sincere and focused efforts are required on a daily basis (from patient) which will help lessen the symptoms and will lead to increased independence.

Physical activity has countless benefits for stroke survivors. Most common physical activities for stroke patients with severe- moderate disability are stretching the neck, moving/rotating the arm, lifting the knee, flexing and extending the elbows and arms, and ankle rotation on the unaffected side of the body. With the improvement in balancing, gradually the frequency and duration can be increased like, after learning to balance upright while sitting in a chair, next is to learn the transfers safely between bed and chair followed by beginning to learn to walk.

Patients with mild disability have numerous options for exercises such as swimming, walking, stair stepper and use of recumbent stationary bike as well. There are some fortunate stroke survivors who can move all the four limbs without any weakness. But they should also exercise after stroke on a regular basis. They can start with any form of physical activity of their interest e.g. gardening, playing sport, walking or swimming. Nowadays, many visual reality devices are also available which makes the physical activity more enjoyable by giving immediate feedbacks. This encourages the patient for active participation also.

Healthy food habits also proved to be highly effective during the recovery phase. Wisely chosen food items can also help reduce the stroke risk factors. Small frequent meals with large portions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains are advisable. Saturated and Trans fats should be completely avoided. Instead, lean meat and low fat dairy products should be consumed. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be completely stopped.