Parkinson’s Disease is one of the most common old age diseases after adult onset diabetes, Arthritis and Dementia according to the American society of consultant Pharmacists. When you find out that you or someone you care for is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), firstly do not panic. It is not a life threatening disease. Think of it rather as a slight challenge that you have to live with. Another thing to know and accept beforehand is that this is not curable but treatable till now.
Is There A Cure?
Parkinson’s Disease does not kill anyone. It at most brings a major change in the lifestyle and priorities of the patients. Additionally, it is not curable. But, people have adapted well to the lifestyle along with the disease and even many people published their own experiences of getting most of the symptoms reversed.
Will It Get Better?
With patience and regularly observed medications, you can actually get back to your normal life. Meditation& exercisearegreat contributors to relieving symptoms, anxiety and depression that prevail in the initial stages of Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
What About Working And Driving?
Yes, you can still go back to work and also drive but the caution needs to be increased for your own safety. Not letting yourself stress out at work and other professional scenarios is really important to keep the mental state stable.
Is It Same For Everyone?
The very reason that even after extensive research and surveys led for decades could not find out the cure for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is that it is entirely unpredictable and affects each individual differently. What you face might not be the same as someone you know, but many symptoms may be similar. It is really beneficial to join a support group of Parkinson’s Disease to better understand and analyze your situation.
Things To Do
As soon as you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, your medical professional will let you know of all the changes you need to bring in your daily life. Here are some of the tips you can use that may benefit you in slowing down the progression of the disease:
Get Educated About Parkinson’s Disease
The very first thing is to gather all the information you can about the disease. It is said that a condition well known can be dealt better. There is a huge load of information on the internet available today about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and the ways you can handle it based on your own condition. But it is always recommended to consult your medical professional before implementing anything.
Dietary Changes
Fiber is the key element in keeping your brain and body healthy. One of the initial symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease is constipation or upset stomach and eating more fibrous food will help in dealing with it. Whole grain cereals are also good for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients. Increase your intake of vegetables especially green.
Social Changes
As Parkinson’s Disease progresses the charge of your life goes into the hands of your care givers. But it is still important for you to handle as many tasks on your own as possible. This includes maintaining your social circle too. Talking is a major depression and anxiety reliever. Talk it out with your friends. Even laugh it out if you want.
Observe Body Changes
Your body is going through some changes, observe them. The posture that you maintained till now will change slowly. Muscle stiffness and slower movements for even the basic functions may cause discomfort. There is no testing for Parkinson’s Disease progression. Only the observations help will help you analyze your stages.
Plan For Future
Even though Parkinson’s Disease (PD) isn’t a deadly disease, it can bring a lot of changes in your life that will last long. So, it is better to plan for your own and your family’s future during the initial stages when you have better grasp on yourself. Make records of your savings and calculate your expenses if you still want to continue working. These help a lot in having a better future as well as handing the charge over to someone else.
Prioritize The Symptoms
There are symptoms that you can change and reduce with medications and therapy. But there are other symptoms which you cannot change. So it is better to accept them and move on. There are pain killers which do not affect the sleep cycle. You can use them to take away the abrupt pain.
Specialists To Consider
Even though a major role of handling Parkinson’s Disease(PD) is on you and your caregivers, medical professionals contribute to your updates and safety. It is highly recommended to consult a medical professional regarding any doubts or experience anything out of your knowledge.
Neurologist
The person who can confirm the disorder is a neurologist. From diagnosis to a proper treatment plan, they provide a system for you to go through to handle the disease better.
Movement Disorder Specialist
A neurologist with additional training in the movement disorders is known as Movement disorder specialist. They specialize in terms familiar to Parkinson’s Disease and can diagnose the condition better and quicker. However, the real help is in understanding the movement disorders and provide proper healthcare advice.
Primary Care Physician
PCP will play an important role in the coming years of your health care. Things like regular checkups, prescription renewals and treat the non-motor symptoms related to Parkinson’s Disease(PD). It can also trigger other health illnesses like Arthritis and Sciaticafor which PCP can come handy in dealing with.
Therapy Providers
Therapy helps both physically and mentally. Complimentary therapies are used to treat the condition in a more traditional and medical minded way. The therapies can be of your own choice based on how you want to pursue them. They can be based on nutrition, acupuncture, exercise instructors, meditation or psychological therapy.
Parkinson’s Disease is a disturbing disease but it can be dealt with by keeping a positive attitude towards life, maintaining a balanced diet, regular checkups and good social support. With all these factors included, anyone can fight Parkinson’s Disease in their own unique way.
