Living with Parkinson's Disease
More than 1 million Americans
live with Parkinson's disease and
60,000 new cases are diagnosed
each year.*
"A chronic illness such as Parkinson's disease – with its progressive stages – often brings feelings of helplessness, anger and fear," says Mehdi Izadi, D.O., a physician with High Desert Primary Care Medical Group. "However, patients can control how they adapt to the disease, and maintaining a positive attitude is one of the healthiest steps a person can take when facing Parkinson's."
Rely on a trusted healthcare team
Parkinson's disease is a motor system disorder resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing
brain cells.
"While there is no cure at present, a variety of medications deliver relief from symptoms and allow patients to live productive lives," Dr. Izadi says.
An internist or family physician familiar with how Parkinson's affects overall health can help manage health issues related to the disease. While eliminating all symptoms of the disease is not possible today, maintaining functionality through Parkinson's progression is an achievable treatment goal.
- Adapt daily living routines. Some changes in lifestyle may be required. Reducing or eliminating the additional stress of demanding work schedules may be necessary. Controlling fatigue with a midday nap is beneficial. Safety issues need to be assessed at work, home and in social settings.
- Establish an exercise program. People suffering with Parkinson's experience more stiffness and rigidity in their muscles and joints. Balance may also become an issue. Exercise helps to loosen muscles, promote balance and relieve depression. Patients should first discuss suitability and safety of any exercise with their healthcare provider.
- Maintain healthy nutrition. A balanced and nutritious diet including three to four meals a day is recommended. A mixture of starchy foods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and proteins works well with required medications.
- Seek out supportive relationships. Loving family members and friends who care and understand the patient are invaluable. Support groups offer education, socializing opportunities and insights from others who are also coping with the disease.
| * | Source: Parkinson's Action Network. |
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