Increased Stress Can Lead To More Tough Days
Currently, in California, we are under increasing stress as our governor places more restrictions on us almost daily. In addition, the continuing political unrest in the US seems to be spiraling out of control in some cities. Here at home, after 6 weeks of helicopters overhead and sirens blaring on a daily basis, at times many of us feel like we are in a war zone. PTSD anyone? It certainly seems like it could be.
So those random days when you just know you should not get out of bed start to make more sense. Sunday was one of those days for me. I could feel it before I even got out of bed that morning. I was stiff and just felt off. My tremors were worse than usual and clearly were going to be with me all day.
I struggled through my online yoga class one Sunday morning. It was hard to concentrate on pretty much everything I tried to do all day. Late afternoon, Mr. Twitchy and I had planned to play 9 holes of golf. I got a new set of clubs on Thursday to replace my pre-industrial revolution clubs I had been using for so long. These new clubs were supposed to make me a superwoman on the golf course, so I was looking forward to this.
What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a nervous system disease that affects your ability to control movement. The disease usually starts out slowly and worsens over time. If you have Parkinsons disease, you may shake, have muscle stiffness, and have trouble walking and maintaining your balance and coordination. As the disease worsens, you may have trouble talking, sleeping, have mental and memory problems, experience behavioral changes and have other symptoms.
What Is A Parkinsons Tremor
Other health issues can also cause tremors, like multiple sclerosis or essential tremor. But Parkinsonâs tremors are different because theyâre usually:
- Resting. Parkinsonâs tremors happen when your muscles are still. They go away when you move. They also lessen while you sleep. For example, if youâre sitting in a chair with your arm relaxed, you may notice that your fingers twitch. But if youâre using your hand, like when you shake someone elseâs hand, the tremor eases or stops.
- Rhythmic. Parkinsonâs tremors are slow and continuous. They arenât random tics, jerks, or spasms.
- Asymmetric. They tend to start on one side of your body. But they can spread to both sides of the body.
Don’t Miss: Do People Die From Parkinsons
Tremor In Other Conditions
While tremor is a common symptom of Parkinsons, it can also be a symptom of other conditions, most notably essential tremor. The main difference between Parkinsons tremor and most other types of tremor is that in Parkinsons resting tremor is most common. Other conditions are usually characterized by action tremor, which tends to lessen at rest and increase when youre doing something, like trying to make a phone call or take a drink.
Tremors of the head and voice are also common in essential tremor but rare in Parkinsons.
Foods Containing Nutrients That People May Be Deficient In
Some research suggests that people with Parkinsons often have certain nutrient deficiencies, including deficiencies in iron, vitamin B1, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D.
The above study points out that some of these deficiencies may be associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, which are key factors in Parkinsons.
Therefore, people with Parkinsons may wish to consume more of the following foods.
Foods containing iron
The following foods are good sources of iron:
- liver
- certain fortified foods
Recommended Reading: How To Help Someone With Parkinson’s
Gyroglove’ Helps Ease Hand Tremors In Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement; its most recognizable symptom is trembling hands. These tremors can make everyday activities like holding a glass of water or writing incredibly difficult. And while there are some potential treatment methods on the horizon, a new device might soon help Parkinsons patients lead a more normal life. ;;
The GyroGlove, developed by London medical student Faii Ong, has the potential to help Parkinsons patients manage their tremors. Ong first had the idea to create the glove as a medical student when, while treating a 103-year-old Parkinsons patient, he found it was difficult for her to eat soup. With nothing to ease her tremors, he built the GyroGlove, which uses the physics of mechanical gyroscopes to reduce trembling.
According to notes Ong provided to Medical Daily, the gyroscopes are basically tops, or spinning discs. Like tops that try to stay upright, gyroscopes similarly seek to remain in the same position by conserving angular momentum. Thus, these gyroscopes instantaneously and proportionally resist hand movement. When the gyroscopes are activated, Ong said, they make the trembling hand feel like its moving through syrup the tremors are smoothed and damped, giving the hand full control.
Cognitive And Emotional Aspects Of Essential Tremor
A growing number of scientists have described subtle differences in how people with essential tremor perform on neuropsychological tests.?? In one study, people with essential tremor performed worse than the control group on tests of memory, attention, and concentration.
In addition to these cognitive differences, people with essential tremor have been described as being at an increased risk for depression, as well as to suffer from anxiety or social phobias.?? Some studies have described patients with essential tremor as more introverted, rigid, or lonely than the general population. All of these characteristics, though, were described by comparing groups of people, meaning that there is still a lot of variation between individuals.
Read Also: How Parkinson’s Affects The Brain
Which Body Parts Do Parkinsons Tremors Affect
There are five main places youll have Parkinsons tremors:
1. Hands. Parkinsons disease tremors often start in the fingers or hands with whats called a pill-rolling motion. Imagine holding a pill between your thumb and index finger and rolling it back and forth.
2. Foot. A Parkinsons foot tremor is more likely to happen while youre sitting or lying down with your feet at rest. If the tremor moves into your thigh muscles. It could look like your whole leg is shaking.
Foot tremors disappear when you stand or walk because those are active movements. A foot or leg tremor while youre standing may be another condition.
3. Jaw. This is common in people with Parkinsons. It may look like youre shivering. It can become bothersome if the tremor makes your teeth chatter. If you wear dentures, it could make them shift or fall out.
Chewing eases the tremor, so gum might help.
4. Tongue. Its rare, but a tongue tremor can cause your entire head to shake.
5. Internal. Some people with Parkinsons say they can feel a shaking sensation in their chest or abdomen. But cant be seen from the outside.
A Lower Protein Diet To Help Meds Work Better
Your diet can impact how well your medication helps to manage common Parkinsons symptoms, including tremors and constipation.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation recommends avoiding certain foods because of possible medication interactions, including:
Parkinsons Foundation Centers Of Excellence And Medicinal Marijuana
The Parkinsons Foundation, in partnership with Northwestern University researchers, studied attitudes about cannabis at 40;Centers of Excellence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide data on the practices, beliefs and attitudes of expert PD physicians concerning cannabis use.;;
The results were interesting: most experts said they knew what cannabis did, but disagreed on the details. While there is no general agreement on what the benefits might be for people with PD, the survey confirmed that cannabis is a popular subject within Parkinsons Foundation centers as 95 percent of neurologists reported patients have asked them to prescribe it.
Cannabis study results also included:
- Only 23 percent of physicians had any formal education on the subject of cannabis , thus 93 percent of physicians want cannabis taught in medical school.
- Physicians reported that 80 percent of their patients with PD have used cannabis.
- Only 10 percent of physicians have recommended the use of cannabis to patients with PD.
- In terms of memory: 75 percent of physicians felt that cannabis would have negative effects on short-term memory and 55 percent felt that cannabis could have negative;effects on long-term memory
- Only 11 percent of physicians have recommended use of cannabis in the last year
This graph shows how physicians expect cannabis would improve, worsen, or show no effect to PD-related symptoms given their expertise and observations of patients with PD.
Read Also: Can Stress Cause Parkinson’s
Types Of Parkinsons Tremors
Quivering in these parts of the body can be signs of Parkinson’s:
- Finger Twitching;Commonly seen among patients in the early stages of the disease, this symptom is also called a pill-rolling tremor because the fingers and hand appear to be rolling a pill-sized object.
- Jaw Tremors;This movement in the jaw may resemble a slow shivering and disappear while eating or talking. In some cases, the teeth chatter. Patients may chew gum to stop the trembling.
- Foot Tremors;This shakiness may appear while resting, lying down, or dangling the feet. It stops when standing and walking. It can also extend beyond the feet and cause the whole leg to vibrate.
- Tongue Tremors;Although far less reported than other types of tremor, quivering in tongue;can be a revealing manifestation of Parkinsons, according to an;article published in December 2015 in the journal Movement Disorders Clinical Practice. The shaking can also appear in the chin, lips, and face.
While these types of tremors can help doctor identify Parkinsons, about 30 percent of patients do not have these movements, per prior research. Those people who do not have a resting tremor may not get a diagnosis immediately, says Gilbert. If doctors dont see it, they wont necessarily think a person has Parkinsons.
Cbd Side Effects And Risks
In most studies, CBD is tolerated well. It rarely causes side effects, and the ones that do happen tend to be mild. They include tiredness, changes in appetite, and diarrhea or nausea.
However, CBD can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Talk to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if youre on medications that contain a grapefruit warning. CBD and grapefruit have a similar effect on certain enzymes related to drug metabolism.
You May Like: Is Parkinson’s Considered A Hereditary Disease
The Role Of The Cerebellum In Essential Tremor
Certainly, many studies have suggested that the cerebellum does not function normally in essential tremor. This may explain why some people with essential tremor have other cerebellar findings on their neurological examination, such as ataxia or poor hand-eye coordination.??
In the last decade, we have become increasingly aware that the cerebellum does more than coordinate movement it may help to coordinate thoughts and perhaps emotions as well. Studies have connected cerebellar activity with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain classically associated with problem-solving, attention, and memory.??
Does Cbd Help With Tremors
Researchers have yet to find out how CBD affects tremors. CBD is widely studied for its ability to reduce the symptoms of movement disorders. So far, we know that CBD can reduce muscle spasms, convulsions, and tremors associated with conditions like epilepsy, Parkinsons Disease , and Multiple Sclerosis;. One study actually found that CBD reduced the intensity of tremors in patients with PD during their REM sleep stage.
The mechanism behind the potential positive effect of CBD on tremors isnt well-known yet. However, scientists speculate that the ECS is the major therapeutic target in this relationship.
Lets elaborate on that mechanism using the examples of different types of tremors.
Also Check: Is Shortness Of Breath A Symptom Of Parkinson’s Disease
Consider Tremor Along With Other Symptoms
Parkinsons reputation is that it is a tremor disease, and thats how you can identify it across a crowded room, says Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer for the American Parkinson Disease Association in New York City.
Although tremors bring people to diagnosis in many cases, defining the condition as a tremor disease may have done patients a disservice over the years because there are more severe symptoms that people struggle with. Tremor is just the one that people can see, according to Dr. Gilbert.
Many think if you dont have a tremor everything is fine, she says. That isnt true.
Over time, other disease features, such as cognitive problems, psychosis, blood pressure irregularities, depression, and lack of desire to do things, can be more devastating.
James Beck, PhD, chief scientific officer with the Parkinsons Foundation, also cautions that tremor may not be the first distinguishing feature.
A person may notice a slowness of movement called bradykinesia, he says. Or someone may be walking down the street and one arm doesnt swing. These symptoms may appear before tremor.
While focusing only on tremor may not be advisable, understanding this abnormal movement and treatment options may help patients improve their quality of life.
Trying To Play Golf With Parkinson’s
Before I go on, I want to make it clear that I have been a life long tennis player and rarely played golf more than 3-4 times a year, much to Mr. Twitchys dismay. Golf was frustrating for me. As one golf instructor told me, I was swinging the golf club like a tennis racket. That doesnt work in golf. This year, because tennis was not an option for so long, once our club re-opened the golf course, Mr. Twitchy saw the opportunity to get me on the golf course. We started playing 9 holes in the late afternoon a couple of days a week.
Getting out on the golf course a couple of days a week definitely helped me hit the ball better and more consistently, that is, until Sunday. I started out ok, but it was clear that my tremors were going to be with me the whole time. Sure enough, it got worse and worse. I could hardly hit the ball. We finally gave up after 8 holes. I just could not go on anymore.
The tremors lingered another day. Two days later, I was feeling much better. Hopefully my next outing on the golf course will be more successful.
Also Check: Does Parkinson’s Cause Incontinence
Best Adaptive Utensils For People With Tremors Arthritis Parkinsons
If you or someone you know is suffering from Parkinsons disease, you know very well that the suffering that this disease can cause in many ways. One of the most difficult daily activities is eating without dropping food. Eating alone can be difficult for most seniors. The reason is partly due to old age so that coordination becomes a little difficult for them. However, conditions such as stroke, dementia, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimers and Parkinsons can speed up the problem.
Weak hand muscles can be difficult to hold utensils and movements become impossible. It can be very frustrating. This is why it is important to have the best stabilization tools for Parkinsons disease. Occupational therapists recommend that the best stabilization tools for Parkinsons disease be used regularly for the best way to treat these problems thats why; I have selected this topic to guide you about the best adaptive utensils for people with tremors arthritis Parkinsons.
Causes Of Resting Tremors In Parkinsons Disease
Resting tremors are among the most noticeable features of Parkinsons disease .?? The tremors are believed to be caused by complex interactions between a number of factors. Alterations in the activity of several areas of the brain including the substantia nigra, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus, as well as changes in the level and action of the neurotransmitter dopamine, are all related to each other and to the production of the tremors.
Don’t Miss: Are Parkinson’s Tremors Worse In The Morning
What Are The Surgical Treatments For Parkinsons Disease
Most patients with Parkinsons disease can maintain a good quality of life with medications. However, as the disease worsens, medications may no longer be effective in some patients. In these patients, the effectiveness of medications becomes unpredictable reducing symptoms during on periods and no longer controlling symptoms during off periods, which usually occur when the medication is wearing off and just before the next dose is to be taken. Sometimes these variations can be managed with changes in medications. However, sometimes they cant. Based on the type and severity of your symptoms, the failure of adjustments in your medications, the decline in your quality of life and your overall health, your doctor may discuss some of the available surgical options.
What Types Of Tremors Should I Watch For Before I Visit The Neurologist
Many types of involuntary movements are often confused with parkinsonian tremors. While these may not be related to your disease or treatment, they can sometimes be direct indicators of your medications effectiveness.
For example, tremors in one leg when it is in a particular position with the heel lightly resting on the ground affect the whole population and are not specific to Parkinsons disease.
On the other hand, exaggerated, chaotic and fluid movements, which sometimes resemble dance moves, are dyskinetic movements. These are not repetitive movements and do not have a specific pattern. They are caused by an overdosage of levodopa. They typically start 30 minutes to one hour after taking the drug and their intensity fluctuates during the overdose period.
As for cramps in toes or feet, these usually occur at night or in the morning and indicate insufficient levodopa dosage. These are abnormal muscle contractions that induce often painful abnormal positions. These movements usually begin several hours after taking medication and increase until the next medication dose takes effect.
Read Also: How Does Parkinson’s Disease Cause Death