Par​kinson's Disease

Staying healthy and active is important for managing Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that by focusing on diet and regular exercise, you can improve your health, control symptoms and enhance your quality of life. Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine to ensure it’s the right approach for you. 

Diet tips

A balanced diet is key for overall health and managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and staying hydrated can help you feel energized and healthy. Here are a few things to consider:

• Constipation: Many people with Parkinson’s experience constipation due to slower digestion. Eating plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and drinking enough fluids can help prevent it.
• Dehydration: Parkinson’s medications can lead to dehydration, which may cause tiredness or confusion. Be sure to drink enough water throughout the day.
• Medication and food: The main Parkinson’s medication, carbidopa-levodopa, is best absorbed when taken without a high-protein meal. Try to eat protein-rich foods later in the day to help the medication work more effectively.

Exercise benefits

Exercise is one of the best ways to manage Parkinson’s disease. Regular activity, including cardiovascular exercises like walking and balance training, can improve strength, coordination and mobility. It can also slow the progression of symptoms. Here's how exercise helps:

• Improves movement: Regular exercise, such as walking, can improve your walking speed and stride length, which can be affected by Parkinson’s.
• Prevents inactivity: Fear of falling or other motor symptoms might make you more cautious and less active, but staying active through everyday tasks like household chores or yard work can help maintain your mobility.
• Supports brain health: Exercise can help your brain form new connections and maintain its ability to function, potentially slowing down the effects of Parkinson’s.

Most people with Parkinson’s disease will need medication at some point to help control their symptoms. There are different types of medications, and your doctor will recommend the ones that work best for you.

Oral medications

• Levodopa: The most common medication, levodopa helps increase dopamine in the brain. It’s often combined with carbidopa to reduce side effects like nausea.
• Enzyme inhibitors (e.g., MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors): These medications help prevent the breakdown of dopamine in your brain, which can help extend the effects of levodopa.
• Dopamine agonists: These drugs mimic the effects of dopamine in your brain. They can be especially helpful in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
• Amantadine: This drug helps with the main symptoms of PD and can also be used to manage side effects, like involuntary movements (dyskinesia).
• Anticholinergic drugs: These help reduce tremors by blocking a brain chemical called acetylcholine. They are generally used for younger people but are less commonly recommended for those over 60 because of potential side effects.

Continuous infusions

For some people with Parkinson’s disease, oral medications may not control symptoms well enough throughout the day. Newer options include continuous infusion therapies, which deliver medicine steadily over time delivered through an adhesive patch on the skin. This can help keep dopamine levels more stable and reduce “off” periods when symptoms return between doses.

• Carbidopa/levodopa infusion: This treatment provides a continuous dose of carbidopa/levodopa through a pump, helping to smooth out fluctuations in movement symptoms and reduce the need for frequent oral doses.
• Apomorphine infusion: Apomorphine is a type of medication known as a dopamine agonist that can be given by continuous infusion under the skin. This option helps reduce “off” episodes and may be used when oral medications are not enough.

Your doctor will determine whether an infusion is right for you, based on your symptoms, lifestyle and how well other medications are working.

Therapies are an important part of managing Parkinson’s disease and can help improve daily functioning.

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists help improve movement, balance and coordination, which can make everyday tasks like walking and getting in and out of chairs easier.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists help you adapt to daily tasks and routines, so you can stay independent for as long as possible. They may suggest special tools or techniques to make tasks easier.
• Speech therapy: Speech therapists can help with voice, speech clarity and swallowing difficulties, which are common in people with Parkinson’s disease.

In addition to your regular treatment, some people find that integrative medicine can help relieve certain symptoms. These might include:

• Yoga: Improves strength, flexibility and balance.
• Acupuncture: May help with pain and muscle stiffness.
• Massage therapy: Can help relax muscles and reduce tension.

Always talk to your doctor before trying complementary therapies to make sure they’re safe for you.

Having support from family, friends or a support group can make a big difference in managing Parkinson’s disease. Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can provide emotional support and practical tips for managing day-to-day challenges. Talking to a counselor or therapist may also help you cope with the emotional aspects of Parkinson’s.

If medications and therapies don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery can help manage symptoms when other options aren’t enough. Surgery isn’t right for everyone, and your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks with you before making a decision.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): This involves implanting a device under the skin (similar to a pacemaker) that sends electrical signals to specific areas of the brain. It can help reduce tremors, stiffness and other movement problems.