By Sandra Ray, Staff Writer
Seeking out Treatment Options:
Depending on how soon the disease is diagnosed,
your physician may have several options. Since there
is no cure, treatment is provided in order to manage
symptoms. Doctors will often prescribe a medication
to help replace the dopamine that the disease
attacks, although this is not the only method of
treatment you should consider.
Patients can help themselves at home through
consistently exercising affected muscles, keeping
them as flexible as possible. As the disease
progresses, the exercise methods may change in order
to provide a new level of comfort for the patient.
In addition, there are diet considerations that can
help; for some people, losing weight will help ease
muscle pain and symptoms.
There are also surgical options for a limited set
of patients who need more aggressive treatment. Your
physician can discuss these options with you and
determine if your case is a candidate for this type
of treatment.
Recent studies have revealed that supplements,
such as vitamin E and others like it, have no real
role in treating PD. Families who may have once been
instructed to try supplements in order to strengthen
someone’s overall health, muscle tone, and other
areas are finding that these assumptions have not
born scientific fruit. In other words, save your
money when it comes to supplements. There are other
more effective treatment methods available to you
and your loved ones.
Research concerning treatment and possible cures
is ongoing. More patients are needed for clinical
trials in order to develop additional lines of
research and decide whether or not existing theories
need more study. The Parkinson’s community has been
under-represented in clinical trials, resulting in
less advances in treatment options and causality of
the disease.
Living with Parkinson’s:
It is possible to lead a fulfilling life despite
PD. The disease may change the way a patient views
their activity level, yet it is possible through
treatment to continue many of the same hobbies and
even work on career choices. Your family’s doctor is
the best place to start when asking questions about
the level of activity that you can expect with each
stage of the disease. Exercise, for example, is one
area that should be discussed clearly with your
physician. Finding out the areas where you may need
more assistance is critical so you can plan and be
prepared for them.
In addition, caregivers need to be prepared with
questions for physicians to find out some of the
aspects of the disease that can affect them.
Traveling with someone who has PD can be
challenging, for example, but that doesn’t mean that
you need to shelve ideas of the family’s vacation.
Making minor modifications may be all that is
necessary. Including a physical therapist in the
planning process may also be extremely beneficial
since there are mobility concerns that need to be
addressed as well.
Families need to be aware of the latest research,
treatment options, and additional symptoms that
could be experienced as the disease progresses. The
disease may advance slowly, especially if caught
early and treatment begins quickly; however, it may
take its toll on someone quicker if he or she is in
poor health and chooses not to take steps toward
living a healthier lifestyle. Parkinson’s may not be
curable, but it is manageable with help from a good
family support system, solid medical advice, and
advance planning.
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