Magic Laser Light Makesfreezing A Thing Of The Past
Did you know there is a little secret that increases your mobility and helps people with Parkinson’s overcome “freezing” almost magically in less than 30 seconds?
It’s true.
Sometimes when people with Parkinson’s are “frozen” in place and can’t take a step, all they need is some sort of visual cue to get them walking again.
Well, the U-Step is the ONLY walker in the world with a laser light option that helps overcome freezing.
Here’s how it works…
There’s a big red button on the handle of the U-Step. If you experience “freezing” and can’t take a step, simply push the button and a bright red line shows up on the floor in front of you.
This helps “break” the freezing episode and gets you moving again, almost like magic.
No other walker in the world has this optional feature. The U-Step walker is the ONLY one!
Compelling Reasons To Try Treadmill Walking
Treadmill walking has shown benefits to improving Parkinsons symptoms, particularly gait. It is often encouraged for those more advanced in their disease who may otherwise struggle with navigating turns.
In 2010, researchers from the U.K.-based nonprofit Cochrane analyzed data from eight trials featuring 203 people with Parkinsons.
They compared treadmill training vs. no treadmill training, using effects on walking speed, stride length, number of steps per minute and walking distance to measure improvement in gait. Treadmill training had a positive impact on each of these measurements, apart from cadence.
In 2011, researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that Parkinsons patients who walked on a treadmill three times a week for three months at a comfortable speed for a longer duration improved their gait more than patients who walked for less time but at an increased speed and incline.
The study compared 67 people with Parkinsons disease who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: walking on a treadmill at low intensity for 50 minutes higher-intensity treadmill training to improve cardiovascular fitness for 30 minutes and using weights and stretching exercises to improve muscle strength and range of motion.
Researchers measured participants cardiovascular fitness before and after training and found cardiovascular improvement in both the low- and high-intensity groups.
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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Physical Therapy Can Help
In addition to medication, physical therapy can help with walking. There are several strategies that can be used to overcome freezing episodes.
Strategies include taking a high marching step, counting to three before stepping, or walking along to the rhythm of a metronome. Using visual cues such or stepping over a target such as a laser beam or line on the floor can also help with gait.
Assistive devices such as walkers or canes can be helpful in reducing the risk of falling.
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Doctor Recommended For People With Parkinson’s: Increases Mobility Prevents Falls And Gives You Back Your Independence
Dear Friend,
If you or someone you know or love has Parkinson’s disease… and has problems with mobility, or if you fall regularly, or even if you’re just afraid of falling…
Then this letter is going to be one of the most important messages you will ever read.
Here’s why…
According to government studies, people with Parkinsons disease have DOUBLE the risk of falling compared to everyone else in their age group.
In fact…
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Is Parkinsons Disease Inherited
Scientists have discovered gene mutations that are associated with Parkinsons disease.
There is some belief that some cases of early-onset Parkinsons disease disease starting before age 50 may be inherited. Scientists identified a gene mutation in people with Parkinsons disease whose brains contain Lewy bodies, which are clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein. Scientists are trying to understand the function of this protein and its relationship to genetic mutations that are sometimes seen in Parkinsons disease and in people with a type of dementia called Lewy body dementia.
Several other gene mutations have been found to play a role in Parkinsons disease. Mutations in these genes cause abnormal cell functioning, which affects the nerve cells ability to release dopamine and causes nerve cell death. Researchers are still trying to discover what causes these genes to mutate in order to understand how gene mutations influence the development of Parkinsons disease.
Scientists think that about 10% to 15% of persons with Parkinsons disease may have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to development of the disease. There are also environmental factors involved that are not fully understood.
Heel To Toe Characteristics
Whereas in normal gait, the heel strikes the ground before the toes , in Parkinsonian gait, motion is characterised by flat foot strike or less often and in the more advanced stages of the disease by toe-to-heel walking . In addition, PD patients have reduced foot lifting during the swing phase of gait, which produces smaller clearance between the toes and the ground.
Patients with Parkinson’s disease have reduced impact at heel strike and this mechanism has been found to be related to the disease severity with impact decreasing as the disease progresses. Also, Parkinson patients show a trend towards higher relative loads in the forefoot regions combined with a load shift towards medial foot areas. This load shift is believed to help in compensating for postural imbalance. The intra-individual variability in foot strike pattern is found to be surprisingly lower in PD patients compared with normal people.
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What Is Parkinson Disease
Parkinson disease is a movement disorder. It can cause the muscles to tighten and become rigid This makes it hard to walk and do other daily activities. People with Parkinsons disease also have tremors and may develop cognitive problems, including memory loss and dementia.
Parkinson disease is most common in people who are older than 50. The average age at which it occurs is 60. But some younger people may also get Parkinson disease. When it affects someone younger than age 50, it’s called early-onset Parkinson disease. You may be more likely to get early-onset Parkinson disease if someone in your family has it. The older you are, the greater your risk of developing Parkinson disease. It’s also much more common in men than in women.
Parkinson disease is a chronic and progressive disease. It doesn’t go away and continues to get worse over time.
How Might Parkinson’s Affect Gait
Parkinsonian gait is a distinctive, less steady walk that arises from changes in posture, slowness of movement and a shortened stride. This is characterised by some, but not necessarily all, of the following:
- a tendency to lean unnaturally forwards in a stooped position when walking and, in some cases, a tendency to lean sideways when standing
- the head dropped forwards, with shoulders down, hips and knees bent
- steps taken on the front of the feet
- feet dragging on the ground, resulting in shuffling steps
- a reduced length of stride
- a reduced arm swing, particularly on the side on which Parkinsons is most noticeable.
If you develop this Parkinsonian gait you may experience some of the following problems:
- slowness
- start hesitation – a hesitation in initiating movements such as walking
- difficulty making a turn due to slowness, stiffness or instability
- difficulty making transfers, e.g. getting out of a chair or bed
- freezing – a sudden inability to start or continue walking, as if glued to the spot
- postural instability which makes falls more likely
- festination – progressively shorter but accelerated steps forward, often in a shuffling manner or as if falling forwards, in an attempt to maintain the position of the feet beneath the forward moving trunk. This tends to occur in later in Parkinsons.
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Comparison Between Cueing Conditions
The results of the ANOVA for step length showed a significant main effect for Spatial information , indicating a greater improvement in performance in the L condition compared to the N condition . The ANOVA for step cadence yielded a significant main effect of Temporal information with post-hoc analysis revealing that the fastest temporal condition yielded a larger increase in step cadence than the two other conditions . The ANOVA for step velocity revealed a significant main effect for Spatial information , indicating that the participants moved faster in the L condition than in the N condition . The effect of Temporal information was also significant with participants moving significantly quicker in the fastest condition compared to the two other conditions . Finally, the interaction between the Spatial and Temporal information was also significant . Post-hoc analysis revealed that for the spatial condition N, the temporal condition 125% induced significantly larger improvements than either of the two other temporal conditions . The Temporal factor did not significantly affect the degree of improvement in the spatial condition L , whereas the main effect of Spatial information was observed for all three temporal conditions .
The ANOVAs for the three CV measures only showed significant effects for group with PD participants showing significant improvements compared to the HC group .
What Is Parkinsonian Gait
Parkinsonian gait is a defining feature of Parkinsons disease, especially in later stages. Its often considered to have a more negative impact on quality of life than other Parkinsons symptoms. People with Parkinsonian gait usually take small, shuffling steps. They might have difficulty picking up their feet.
Parkinsonian gait changes can be episodic or continuous. Episodic changes, such as freezing of gait, can come on suddenly and randomly. Continuous changes are changes in your gait that happen all the time while walking, such as walking more slowly than expected.
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Vertical Ground Reaction Force
In normal gait, the vertical ground reaction force plot has two peaks â one when the foot strikes the ground and the second peak is caused by push-off force from the ground. The shape of the vertical GRF signal is abnormal in PD. In the earlier stages of the disease, reduced forces are found for heel contact and the push-off phase resembling that of elderly subjects. In the more advanced stages of the disorder where gait is characterized by small shuffling steps, PD patients show only one narrow peak in the vertical GRF signal.
Trouble Moving Or Walking
People without PD do not think about their walking. Their arms naturally swing, and their feet naturally land on the heels with each step. They can walk and talk and carry bags, purses and plates of food without difficulty.
Individuals with PD tend to lose their automatic movements. Especially as Parkinsons advances, it may bring with it a variety of symptoms that are uncommon in early stages, such as problems with walking and poor balance . Feet begin to shuffle, and performing two tasks at once becomes more difficult. Turning becomes challenging, often leading to a freezing episode and sometimes a fall.
Parkinsons Disease Is a Movement and Sensory Disorder
People with PD have trouble regulating the speed and/or size of their movements. Movements are bradykinetic or hypokinetic .
Changes in the movement system lead to challenges controlling movements, including the following:
- Starting and stopping movements
- Linking different movements to accomplish one task
- Finishing one movement before beginning the next
Changes in the sensory system also lead to challenges, particularly noticing and correcting movement and voice issues, including the following:
- Slowness or smallness of movements
- Lack of movement
- Changes in posture
- Changes in voice volume
Walking Changes
There are many PD-related walking changes:
Managing Walking Changes
Walking Tips
Turning Tips
Freezing
Managing Freezing
Tips for Care Partners
Freezing is a significant cause of falls.
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What Is Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the most common movement disorder. Characteristics of Parkinsons disease are progressive loss of muscle control, which leads to trembling of the limbs and head while at rest, stiffness, slowness, and impaired balance. As symptoms worsen, it may become difficult to walk, talk, and complete simple tasks.
The progression of Parkinson’s disease and the degree of impairment vary from person to person. Many people with Parkinson’s disease live long productive lives, whereas others become disabled much more quickly. Complications of Parkinsons such as falling-related injuries or pneumonia. However, studies of patent populations with and without Parkinsons Disease suggest the life expectancy for people with the disease is about the same as the general population.
Most people who develop Parkinson’s disease are 60 years of age or older. Since overall life expectancy is rising, the number of individuals with Parkinson’s disease will increase in the future. Adult-onset Parkinson’s disease is most common, but early-onset Parkinson’s disease , and juvenile-onset Parkinson’s disease can occur.
What Does Shuffling Gait Look Like
According to Dr Horak, shuffling gait occurs in people with Parkinsons because small steps are taken without the normal heel and toe making contact with the ground meaning that the feet slide forward instead of being lifted up off the floor.
Normal gait speed depends upon a rapid push down of the toes into the floor. Without this push, shuffling gait depends upon the use of the hip muscles to move the legs and body forward with a shuffle, she explains.
Those who already experience freezing of gait also tend to be subject to shuffling gait. Freezing, says Horak, is basically an extreme form of shuffling gait but without any forward motion. Shuffling gait is not limited to the feet people with Parkinsons can also notice shorter strides and reduced arm movement when walking. Not only does this mean walking takes far more effort, but the likelihood of tripping over low objects on the floor increases too.
Though, Dr Horak says, a change in gait is not always obvious in the early stages of Parkinsons, as a symptom, it is one of the hallmarks of Parkinsons and can be one of the most debilitating.
Dr Fay Horak recently co-authored a study on the effects of exercise on gait and brain connectivity.
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Brisk Walking May Improve Symptoms Of Parkinsons
The American Academy of Neurology is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 36,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
What Are The Causes
In Parkinsons disease, nerve cells in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia start to die and produce less of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. The basal ganglia use dopamine to form connections between neurons. This means when theres less dopamine, there are fewer connections.
The basal ganglia are responsible for making sure your body movements are smooth. When there arent as many connections in this area of the brain, it cant do that job as well. This leads to Parkinsonian gait and the other movement symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Theres
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What Causes Parkinson Disease
Parkinson disease arises from decreased dopamine production in the brain. The absence of dopamine makes it hard for the brain to coordinate muscle movements. Low dopamine also contributes to mood and cognitive problems later in the course of the disease. Experts don’t know what triggers the development of Parkinson disease most of the time. Early onset Parkinson disease is often inherited and is the result of certain gene defects.
What Is The Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease
There is currently no treatment to cure Parkinson’s disease. Several therapies are available to delay the onset of motor symptoms and to ameliorate motor symptoms. All of these therapies are designed to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain either by replacing dopamine, mimicking dopamine, or prolonging the effect of dopamine by inhibiting its breakdown. Studies have shown that early therapy in the non-motor stage can delay the onset of motor symptoms, thereby extending quality of life.
The most effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa , which is converted to dopamine in the brain. However, because long-term treatment with levodopa can lead to unpleasant side effects , its use is often delayed until motor impairment is more severe. Levodopa is frequently prescribed together with carbidopa , which prevents levodopa from being broken down before it reaches the brain. Co-treatment with carbidopa allows for a lower levodopa dose, thereby reducing side effects.
In earlier stages of Parkinson’s disease, substances that mimic the action of dopamine , and substances that reduce the breakdown of dopamine inhibitors) can be very efficacious in relieving motor symptoms. Unpleasant side effects of these preparations are quite common, including swelling caused by fluid accumulation in body tissues, drowsiness, constipation, dizziness, hallucinations, and nausea.
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