Teens Invent An Automatic Walker To Help Parkinsons Patients
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – Two teenagers have spent the last two years inventing a one-of-a-kind walker that would help people with Parkinsons disease.
Kaavya Karthikeyan and Akanksha Tibrewala are childhood best friends, neighbors and classmates at Chantilly High School.
And we met through preschool. And then she actually moved into the neighborhood a few years after so we have just been best friends after that, Karthikeyan said.
Both are eyeing Georgia Tech as a possibility of entering college together.
But perhaps their biggest passion they share is caring for seniors and those with Parkinsons disease.
It kind of sparked with my great-grandmother, Tibrewala said. She had paralysis on one side of her body. So it was extremely difficult for her to do simple tasks like walking.
The friends set to work creating an automatic walker.
One of the main things that we were trying to focus on was to make sure our walker was completely simple to use and that it was easy for them to understand how to use it, Karthikeyan said.
The walker would have a big impact for people who have mobility issues.
Karthikeyan and Tibrewala spent the last two years designing the walker and testing it with patients in local facilities.
Once we had this idea, we were really surprised to see there was nothing on the market like this, Karthikeyan said.
They asked patients with Parkinsons as well as physicians if their product would make sense or if it would be of assistance.
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Ease Of Accessing Raised Surfaces Stairs Narrow Hallways
A wheeled rollator is the best kind of walker because it can get over bumpy places, go easily over stairs if it has back casters which you can step on and raise it a bit. It also needs to rotate tightly so that you can easily get through narrow doors. The width of the rollator plays a role too since you want it to get past narrow hallways with ease.
How To Choose The Most Popular Walker For Parkinsons Patient
The three most crucial criteria to consider are price, quality, and popularity.Price is an obvious factor to consider, as you want to ensure it is acceptable for your needs.Quality should also be examined because buying a low-quality goods will not help you achieve your main aim of obtaining the best product.Finally, while not as obvious as price or quality, popularity can be just as significant as both when it comes to attracting new customers.
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How We Catch Parkinsons Disease How Can Bamboo Pillows Help
It is a progressive neurological or nervous disorder. Our body can show movements and our muscles can stay flexible because of Dopamine. It is a substance in the brain present in the part known as substantia nigra. But during Parkinsons disease, the cells present in this part of the brain begin to fall or die, resulting in lower levels of dopamine. It is hard to believe that its causes are unclear till today and its cure is unclear till today. However, it can grow and become chronic to worsen the issues. There are many symptoms of this disease such as:
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
Reach out to your provider if trouble sleeping harms your quality of life. Always call your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms that worry you, especially if they could put you or those around you in danger.
Sometimes, a sleep disturbance could be a sign of depression related to Parkinsons disease. If youve lost interest in activities you once loved or feel numb to whats going on in your life, reach out to a provider you trust. Some people feel better after starting a new medication or talking to someone about what theyre feeling. You dont have to feel like this.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Researchers continue to study the sleep-Parkinsons disease relationship. Understanding more about how Parkinsons affects sleep may lead to earlier detection of Parkinsons disease and more effective treatments. Even now, you have plenty of options to treat sleep problems. Be open with your provider about any sleep issues youre having. Together, you can find a plan that improves your sleep as well as any other challenges Parkinsons disease may create in your life.
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Up Walker Large Posture Walker Mobility Aid
Like other standing walkers, this stand-up walking aid is designed in a way to provide increased stability and safety for Parkinsons patients who have difficulty walking.
But the good thing about this walker is that it has an adjustable armrest support feature. This provides additional support for patients with weak upper body or stooped posture. The padded armrests are height adjustable and extendable or shortened, to provide comfortable support. The handgrips easily pivot for optimal wrist position.
The walker also comes with padded handles to help patients transition between sitting and standing easier and safer. It also has ergonomic hand brakes that allow the brakes to be easily locked and provide better control. Whereas, the comfortable fabric seat with a backrest provides a helpful seat when needed.
Its four large 8-inch, multi-terrain rubber wheels allow the walker to navigate smoothly on all outdoor surfaces such as grass, gravel, and even snow. And about its overall frame it is light, sturdy, and highly durable. You can take it with you outside of your home, walk around, and enjoy the outdoor scenes.
Balance And The Brain
Difficulties with balance and walking are linked to the brain changes that take place with PD. For people who dont have PD, balance is automatic, a reflex. But Parkinsons affects the basal ganglia . To compensate, the brain assigns another brain area an area used for thinking to take over. The thinking part of the brain, mainly the frontal cortex, cant control balance automatically. The result: for many people with PD, balance becomes less automatic.
This means that when people experience freezing and fall, they cant adjust their balance automatically. Taking small steps to try and regain balance can make things worse, because it involves shifting weight with each step. The brain changes from PD inhibit their ability to take a big step to catch their balance and avoid a fall. For some, the drug levodopa can help prevent freezing, but does not improve balance.
A person whose balance is less automatic must pay more attention while walking. For everyone, walking slows down when were talking and thinking slows down when were walking. This is called the dual-task cost and its higher in people with PD. That tells us that people with PD are using more attention and more cognitive control for balance and gait.
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Choosing A Walking Stick
When choosing or adjusting your stick, wear your usual footwear. If you stand with good upright posture the handle should line up with the bump at the bottom of your wrist bone, with your arm hanging naturally at your side. This will mean that your elbow bends slightly when you hold the handle.
If you dont have much upper body strength, choose a stick that is light and easy to move forward in time with your stride. You may find the heavier three- or four-footed sticks are more difficult to move forward and may trip you up. Choose a handle that is a shape and size that lets you grip it as strongly as you can.
Walking sticks are tested to a maximum weight, so check that yours is appropriate before buying.
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Majestic Buvan Electric Wheelchair
Majestic Buvan Electric Wheelchair is another very capable Electric Chair that can be used by Parkinsons Patients. One of the defining features of this Wheelchair is that it comes with an ultra-compact design, which you can easily carry around even on Airplanes. Also, it weighs only 55 lbs. with the battery, which makes it a lightweight wheelchair.
The Wheelchair also comes with a reclining backrest, which you can adjust according to your comfort. Also, the seat and the backrest use memory foam which offers great comfort. It also comes with a seat belt, which provides protection from falling.
When it comes to the engine, the Wheelchair uses the 500W powerful engine, which allows you to easily move on most terrains. It also comes with a removable battery which means that you can keep a spare battery with you and use it if the default battery runs out of power.
Overall, if you are looking for a compact electric wheelchair, you should consider Majestic Buvan Electric Wheelchair.
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The Best Walking Stick For Parkinsons Patients
Why The Gait Problem occurs?Canes can help redistribute weight from a lower extremity that is weak or painful, The Parkinsons Laser Cane has a laser attached to it .Amazon.com: Laser Cane for Parkinsons Disease4 rows · Product description, There are many options available to assist a patient with walkingthe walking cane being one of the chief options to turn to initially.Despite being a Parkinsons patient, The LaserCane projects a safe, If balance is a continuous problem,floor in fromt of me works better during one of my frezimg episodes, ALS, obstacle-free visual cue, walking stick, Stroke and other neurological conditions, or walker, he brings a different cane with him a collapsible one that will fit in his carry-on bag, Made in: USA.
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Sleep Disturbances Are Common In Pd Patients
Sleep problems constitute the second most frequent non-motor symptom of PD.
They occur due to many reasons.
Sleep disturbances most commonly arise due to inadequate treatment, a side-effect of drugs, and/or neurodegeneration.
These sleep disturbances may be either nocturnal or diurnal in occurrence.
The nocturnal disturbances include insomnia, periodic limb movements, obstructive sleep apnea, and parasomnia.
Diurnal sleep disturbances include excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, and restless leg syndrome.
A patient can have more than one sleep problem at the same time.
The most prevalent sleep disorders seen in PD patients are as follows:
i) Insomnia
Insomnia affects 27 to 80 % of patients with PD.
It can manifest as frequent awakening and fragmentation of sleep , difficulty in falling asleep , or waking up from sleep earlier than desired .
It is more frequent in women, advanced PD stages, PD with anxiety or depression, and in patients on dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, or MAO-B inhibitors.
Treatment depends on the type of insomnia and the underlying cause.
Extended-release levodopa and ropinirole, along with behavioral and cognitive measures are useful in most cases.
If there is no response, your doctor may prescribe you a short course of drugs to help you sleep.
These drugs dont prolong the total sleep duration but decrease the awakening episodes.
Some of these drugs can cause dependence and should be used only for the prescribed duration
iv) NREM Parasomnia
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Am I Eligible For Funding
You may be eligible to receive funding support.
Your Occupational Therapist normally applies for this on your behalf through the NDIS or state agency.
To see if youre eligible for funding support through the NDIS, visit the NDIS checklist.
Your Occupational Therapist will also need a quote from us during the application lodging process.
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Synchronize It To Your Smartphone
The app can be used to give the cues in sync with the rollator. While wirelessly connected to the Rollz Motion Rhythm, the smartphone can vibrate and/or play the metronome along with the Parkinson rollator to increase the intensity of the cue.
The cues can be played solely on the smartphone as well. This enables to plug in earphones and to hear the metronome more privately. The users surroundings will not notice that cueing is on when this feature is used.
How Do You Feed Someone With Parkinsons Disease
Sit upright with your head slightly tilted forward, do not talk, and focus entirely on eating. Swallow one bite multiple times until your throat is clear. Drinking water after every bite, also tucking the chin into the chest helps to swallow.
As there is no specific food for Parkinsons disease, these diets help prevent or relieve the symptoms. Maintaining a healthy diet also is a possible factor to reduce its risk and slow the progression of this disease.
References
- Diet & Nutrition. 2020. Parkinsons Foundation. 2020. https://www.parkinson.org/Living-with-Parkinsons/Managing-Parkinsons/Diet-and-Nutrition.
- Diet & Nutrition. 2021. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research | Parkinsons Disease. 2021. https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/diet-nutrition.
- Foods to Eat and Avoid with Parkinsons. 2018. ParkinsonsDisease.net. 2018. https://parkinsonsdisease.net/stories/what-to-eat-and-what-to-avoid-when-managing-parkinsons-disease.
- hollowc2. 2020. The Best Diet for Parkinsons Disease. Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic. October 6, 2020. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-diet-for-parkinsons-disease/.
- Watson, Kathryn. 2018. Diet and Parkinsons. Healthline. Healthline Media. September 20, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons-and-diet.
Do you have more tips on how to eat with Parkinsons disease? Please let us know in the comment section below!
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Wheel Rollator Walker Features
- The 3-Wheel Aluminum Rollator adds maneuverability for indoor use as the narrow front of the walker doesnt knock into or block access. It is especially convenient for accessing a toilet.
- Height-adjustable from 5 2 to 6 4 for better customization as per the users height.
- Locking loop brake makes using the walker safe on slippery surfaces.
- The waterproof pouch can be used for storage.
To Prevent Falls Exercise
Exercise is the only intervention that significantly reduces a persons risk of falling, among older people without PD as well as people with Parkinsons. Research is beginning to show how exercise changes the brain for the better and can help people with PD gain back some of their automatic balance reflex.
In a study, Dr. Horak and her team asked participants with PD to stand on a quickly moving treadmill, until they began walking. Participants initially took too-small steps, but with one hour of practicing, they improved, taking bigger steps to stay balanced while walking.
Many kinds of exercise can improve a persons balance. Consider trying:
- Tai Chi: a moving meditation where movements involve shifting the bodys center of mass back and forth over the feet. Studies found fewer falls among people with PD who practiced Tai Chi three times a week.
- Dance: to dance tango, a person has to walk backward and sideways, take big steps and both follow and lead good ways for people with PD to practice balance control.
- Boxing: the rapid arm movements provide good balance training.
- Agility boot camp: completing different tasks in a series of stations can improve balance.
Tip: People with PD may have other medical issues that affect their ability to exercise, such as arthritis or neuropathy. Work with a physical therapist to find an exercise that suits your needs.
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Choosing The Right Walker For Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease patients often face difficulty walking due to their postural instability. During the advanced stage, the chances of falling and getting hurt increase. To avoid this, patients are strongly advised to use a walking aid. Using the right walker will help them walk independently without the fear of falling.
The purpose of this article is to give you an overview of the types of walking aids that might be suitable, the useful features for each type and their suitability for your loved one suffering from Parkinsons disease.
What Is The Walker For Parkinsons Patient
Sorry if youre perplexed. I know its not an easy choice! But its one of the most crucial choices youll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of walker for parkinsons patient is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the walker for parkinsons patient listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
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How Are Sleep Problems Diagnosed In People With Parkinsons Disease
If youre having problems sleeping, sit down with your healthcare provider to discuss the issue in detail. Your provider will ask you questions to better understand your symptoms.
Be prepared to explain when sleep disruptions happen and how they affect your life. Keeping a sleep journal for a few weeks can help you remember the details.
If your provider suspects you may have a sleep disorder, they may recommend you have a sleep study. This overnight test uses electrodes attached to your skin to track how your body functions when youre sleeping.
Nordic Walking And Parkinsons Disease
Let me introduce Wendy*.
She joined Nordic Walking Watford in April 2017, shortly after her diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease. Very much in denial, she struggled to come to terms with the physical and emotional changes such a diagnosis brings. Trying to juggle work and looking after her own physical and mental health became a challenge and eventually, Wendy stopped Nordic Walking.
And then along came Covid
However, Wendy was still keen on being active and understood the importance of exercise with Parkinsons Disease. Determined to get back to Nordic Walking, Wendy took advantage of our *NEW* ARMCHAIR TO ACTIVE programme.
Gently progressive over 6 weeks, this unique course helps clients develop healthy habits through Nordic Walking. Its ideal for those with long-term health conditions, recovering from illness or injury, and those who lack confidence.
Wendy completed the course, improving both fitness and confidence in her ability, and has gone on to participate in our regular walks. She recently clocked up an amazing 13 miles over 3 days! And she has made new friendships and connections along the way. Importantly, Wendy is learning that she can walk regularly if she paces herself and has some rest time in between her walks.
As her instructor, it has been so wonderful to watch Wendy progress and see her blossom on so many levels.
How can Nordic Walking help Parkinsons Disease?
At a molecular level, at least two things happen to make dopamine use more efficient:
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