Parkinson’s Disease: How to Prevent It

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that affect older individuals. It develops when the brain loses its neurons that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating motor skills and other cognitive functions.

It can lead to problems with movement, balance, and coordination. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

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Is it possible to prevent Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that worsens with time. While there are many risk factors for the disease, including genetics, age, and gender, there are things you can do to help prevent it. One important thing you can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating healthy foods.

Lifestyle rules for prevention

You can follow some lifestyle rules to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. These include exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. Additionally, certain dietary habits can protect against the development of this condition. For example, reducing caffeine intake may help prevent the onset of symptoms. The most important thing is for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so they don’t develop Parkinson’s disease in the first place. The earlier you get help from professionals when symptoms arise, the more effective treatment.

Exercise your Brain

Your brain is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised, and you can aid in its recovery by exercising your brain. Studies show that aerobic exercise provides neuroprotective benefits for all ages, including those with Parkinson’s disease.

You can do aerobic exercise in any number of ways, such as;

  • swimming
  • running
  • cycling or
  • walking

Exercise has improved cognitive function in older individuals with Parkinson’s disease. If this sounds good to you, make sure you get regular physical activity every day!

Active lifestyle

The key to preventing Parkinson’s disease is living an active lifestyle. Exercise can help reduce the risk of developing this condition. Dedicate to physical activity at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. There are many different types of exercise that you can do, and all of them will help prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

A variety of studies have shown that high-stress levels contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease. This includes chronic stress and acute stressors like injury or illness. Try yoga or meditation to relax and focus on your breath for 10 minutes a day if you feel stressed.

Communicate with people

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When it comes to Parkinson’s disease, social engagement is important. By interacting with people who have the disease, you can learn how to prevent it. Share your experiences and see how other individuals deal with Parkinson’s. It’s also important to educate yourself on its symptoms because knowing what they are may help you live a healthier lifestyle. If you know someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s, let them know that you care about them and want to be there for them as much as possible.

Diet

It is recommended that you adopt a Mediterranean-style diet consisting of healthy protein sources such as fish, olive oil, vegetables, and fruits. It also encourages whole grains and low-fat dairy products

Here are some other things to consider;

  • Keep a healthy weight
    Maintaining a healthy weight may lower your risk of developing osteoporosis, which could contribute to having a fracture that leads to an infection and possible onset of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Avoid tobacco use
    Tobacco causes inflammation in the body that could lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Reduce caffeine intake
    Caffeine can cause anxiety, which leads to problems with sleep and stress, both of which contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Limit alcohol consumption
    Alcohol causes dopamine depletion in the body by increasing dopamine activity in the brain’s neurons during intoxication.

Regular Checkup

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It is important to get a routine checkup to ensure you do not have Parkinson’s disease. A doctor can perform a physical exam and, if needed, recommend additional tests. The doctor may also evaluate other neurological problems that could cause similar symptoms as Parkinson’s disease.

Treatment

Treating Parkinson’s disease includes medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Medication

Medication is the first line of defense for Parkinson’s disease. The most common treatment for Parkinson’s is levodopa, a drug that increases dopamine levels and decreases symptoms. Other drugs used for Parkinson’s disease include anti-dopamine agents such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and dopamine agonists. These medications restore dopamine levels in the brain and reduce tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and other symptoms associated with this condition.

HRT for Parkinson’s Disease can slow or stop the progression of the disease

Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. HRT is a medication that includes estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It can be especially beneficial for women diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease because estrogen has been shown to help protect against cell damage. Using HRT for Parkinson’s disease will increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can help reduce symptoms. HRT has improved movement, reduced tremors, and increased balance and coordination by improving fine-motor function in the hands and arms.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes in the brain to stimulate certain regions. This surgery can help alleviate some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and can potentially improve motor skills and balance. Though deep brain stimulation has not been studied in younger individuals, it is still worth considering for those at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Deep brain stimulation does carry some risks, including infection, stroke, and death. However, these risks are lower than the alternatives.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating, progressive, and degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain. It primarily affects motor function in irregular, involuntary movements of various parts of the body.

 

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