Parkinson's Treatment Comes in Many Forms

Parkinson's treatment starts with the idea of avoiding the risks, there by reducing the chance of developing the disease.

While there is no single standard or "best" treatment for Parkinson's disease, there are a number of accepted treatment that are worked with the day.

Diet, Exercise and Sleep Assist in Parkinson's Treatment

A healthy diet is beneficial and recommended for many different illnesses and diseases. Parkinson's patients should be eating a diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (breads and pasta). These foods are full of anti-oxidants and they are high in fiber, which will help in preventing constipation.

Regular and consistent exercise and physical activity. Exercise such as swimming, walking, running, bike riding (if your balance allows it) and such daily things such as working around the house and gardening, is all very important for helping with your emotional well being, as well as balance, range of motion and general mobility.

Physical therapy is very helpful for Parkinson's sufferers as well as for other similar diseases. Physical therapy is very beneficial not only during the therapy, but also to give the patient some additional exercises they can do on a daily basis.

With therapy on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, the physical therapist can often work with you to improve your walking, mobility as well as your balance and coordination. Your practice and continual exercise, which you should be doing between sessions with the therapist, are the "key".

Sufficient sleep is very beneficial. The brain regenerate it's dopamine levels during sleep, so most Parkinson's sufferers tend to have "good" mornings, but the loss energy and their Parkinson's problems increase as the day goes on.

Medications

Dopamine related treatments are used to manage the associated problems of Parkinson's, walking, tremors and general movement.

Surgery

Before the medications began being used in the 1960's, surgery was very common, and now it is making a resurgence.

Thalmotomy in the surgery on the thalamus, a major part of the brain for relaying messages and transmitting sensations. This helps to reduce tremors, however it is not helpful with muscle rigidity or slowed movements.
Pallidotomy is surgery on part of the brain, the globus pallidus which is links to symptoms of Parkinson's, and performed via electric current. Pallidotomy does improve many symptoms including tremors, slowed movements, muscle ridigity and involuntary movements.

With improved imaging surgeons now have the ability to treat the areas with better percision and greater success.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is where a unit, similar to a pace maker, is surgically implanted in the chest and then transmits electric impulses, via a wire, to electrodes that are placed in the subtalamic nucleus part of the brain.

Speak with your doctor about all surgeries and medications, their possible benefits and potenal side effects.

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