What Is The Best Treatment For Parkinson Disease

What Causes Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease occurs when nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra become impaired or die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps the cells of the brain communicate . When these nerve cells become impaired or die, they produce less dopamine. Dopamine is especially important for the operation of another area of the brain called the basal ganglia. This area of the brain is responsible for organizing the brains commands for body movement. The loss of dopamine causes the movement symptoms seen in people with Parkinsons disease.

People with Parkinsons disease also lose another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. This chemical is needed for proper functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. This system controls some of the bodys autonomic functions such as digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Loss of norepinephrine causes some of the non-movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease.

Scientists arent sure what causes the neurons that produce these neurotransmitter chemicals to die.

Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #6 Magnesium & Iodine:

Magnesium is vital for the health of the entire nervoussystem, especially the protective layer that surrounds the nerves . Magnesiumis also essential for the production of dopamine and helps protect dopaminergicneurons in the substantia nigra from degeneration. In addition to this, new evidence is showing that low levels of magnesium in the brain causes a build-up ofheavy metals a major factor in the development of Parkinsons, Alzheimers,epilepsy and MS. In a recent trial, 30 epileptics were given 450 mg ofmagnesium daily and this successfully controlled their seizures. Ifmagnesium can help epilepsy patients, it can certainly help Parkinsons sufferers. Worldrenowned magnesium expert and author, Dr Carolyn Dean, has both Parkinsons andAlzheimers disease in her top 55 health conditions caused by amagnesium deficiency list and says that magnesium is 100% essential for the preventionand treatment of both of these diseases Dr Carolyn Dean Interview

In regards to iodine, well-known researcher and author,Dr James Howenstein, says

Iodineis found in large quantities in the brain and the ciliary body of the eye. A lackof iodine may be involved in the production of Parkinson’s disease andglaucoma.

Inthe brain, iodine concentrates in the substantia nigra, an area of the brainthat has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.

David Brownstein M.D. 9

Best Sources of Magnesium and Iodine

-What Youll Need

1 cup of Magnesium Chloride Flakes

1 cup of Distilled Water

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Early Treatment In Young Patients

In view of problematic motor complications, L-dopa treatment is best delayed for as long as possible. As selegeline delays the introduction of L-dopa it may be considered as an early treatment. Selegeline can be administered once a day .

Amantadine and anticholinergics can be tried, although they usually give only modest benefit that may not be enough for a young patient who is still employed and depends on a reliable medication to improve motor function. The recommended dose for amantadine is 100 mg daily increased after one week to 100 mg twice daily. The dose of anticholinergics has to be increased very gradually over several weeks to avoid side effects . For instance, benzhexol should be started with 0.5 mg at night and increased by 0.5 mg every five days up to 6 mg daily in two or three divided doses.

Eventually symptoms will not be sufficiently controlled and L-dopa has to be added. When introducing L-dopa one can opt for standard formulations or sustained release preparations . The latter may be more suitable early in the course of the disease as receptor stimulation in the basal ganglia will be continuous and hence more physiological compared with standard formulations that produce rapid excessive plasma peaks followed by troughs and result in the brain being alternately flooded and starved.

Can Parkinsons Disease Be Prevented

Unfortunately, no. Parkinsons disease is long-term disease that worsens over time. Although there is no way to prevent or cure the disease , medications may significantly relieve your symptoms. In some patients especially those with later-stage disease, surgery to improve symptoms may be an option.

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Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #9 Exercise And Other Alternative Therapies:

Regular exercise has been shown to help Parkinsonssufferers by reducing muscle stiffness, increasing mobility, and enhancing postureand balance. Exercise also increases oxygen levels and neurotransmitters, alongwith releasing potent mood elevating chemicals called endorphins.

The type of exercise performed for PD is crucial. Aqua orwater aerobics can be particularly useful as traditional exercise is usuallyquite difficult for many Parkinsons sufferers. Muscle decline, loss of strength,stiffness and loss of balance can make conventional exercises difficult toperform. The great thing about aqua aerobics is it still has the same benefits as other exercise regimens,but the risk of falling is eliminated.

Other types of exercises that can be beneficial for PDsufferers include Tai Chi, Yoga, dancing, walking, aerobic/jazzercise classes,and general stretching.

For more information on the different exercise programsavailable for Parkinsons patients, you can check out this website ;Exercise and Physical Therapy for ParkinsonsDisease

Causes Of Parkinsons Disease

At present, we do not know the cause of Parkinsons disease. In most people there is no family history of Parkinsons Researchers worldwide are investigating possible causes, including:;

• environmental triggers, pesticides, toxins, chemicals
• genetic factors
• combinations of environment and genetic factors;
• head trauma.

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What Are The Different Stages Of Parkinsons Disease

Each person with Parkinsons disease experiences symptoms in in their own unique way. Not everyone experiences all symptoms of Parkinsons disease. You may not experience symptoms in the same order as others. Some people may have mild symptoms; others may have intense symptoms. How quickly symptoms worsen also varies from individual to individual and is difficult to impossible to predict at the outset.

In general, the disease progresses from early stage to mid-stage to mid-late-stage to advanced stage. This is what typically occurs during each of these stages:

Early stage

Early symptoms of Parkinsons disease are usually mild and typically occur slowly and do not interfere with daily activities. Sometimes early symptoms are not easy to detect or you may think early symptoms are simply normal signs of aging. You may have fatigue or a general sense of uneasiness. You may feel a slight tremor or have difficulty standing.

Often, a family member or friend notices some of the subtle signs before you do. They may notice things like body stiffness or lack of normal movement slow or small handwriting, lack of expression in your face, or difficulty getting out of a chair.

Mid stage

Mid-late stage

Standing and walking are becoming more difficult and may require assistance with a walker. You may need full time help to continue to live at home.

Advanced stage

What Lifestyle Changes Can I Make To Ease Parkinsons Symptoms

Exercise: Exercise helps improve muscle strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and tremor. It is also strongly believed to improve memory, thinking and reduce the risk of falls and decrease anxiety and depression. One study in persons with Parkinsons disease showed that 2.5 hours of exercise per week resulted in improved ability to move and a slower decline in quality of life compared to those who didnt exercise or didnt start until later in the course of their disease. Some exercises to consider include strengthening or resistance training, stretching exercises or aerobics . All types of exercise are helpful.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet: This is not only good for your general health but can ease some of the non-movement related symptoms of Parkinsons, such as constipation. Eating foods high in fiber in particular can relieve constipation. The Mediterranean diet is one example of a healthy diet.

Preventing falls and maintaining balance: Falls are a frequent complication of Parkinson’s. While you can do many things to reduce your risk of falling, the two most important are: 1) to work with your doctor to ensure that your treatments whether medicines or deep brain stimulation are optimal; and 2) to consult with a physical therapist who can assess your walking and balance. The physical therapist is the expert when it comes to recommending assistive devices or exercise to improve safety and preventing falls.

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Focused Ultrasound Therapy To Treat Tremor

Focused Ultrasound is used to treat Parkinsons patients experiencing tremor that does not respond to medication.

In medical terms this procedure is known as a non-invasive thalamotomy.

During the Focused Ultrasound procedure, the patient is awake. No general anaesthesia or surgical incisions are required.

A frame is placed on the patients head with local anaesthetic and the patient lies in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner. If required some sedation can be given to help maximise comfort and relaxation during the procedure.

Doctors then use brain scans to direct ultrasound beams to the target location in the thalamus region of the brain.

The;thalamus;is a small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem. It has nerve connections with both cerebral cortex and the midbrain. The main;function;of the;thalamus;is to relay motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.

The focused ultrasound sends 1024 individual ultrasound beams through the brain that intersect at a single target point in the thalamus to destroy the tremor-causing cells without damaging the surrounding normal tissue.

This is all monitored in real time on the MRI and by repeatedly checking the patient and until the tremor has been treated.

When the treatment is over there is an immediate and significant reduction in tremor.

In Australia, Focused Ultrasound therapy is administered by St Vincents Hospital where it is known as the Neuravive Procedure.

Early Treatment In Old Patients

In elderly patients L-dopa remains the treatment of choice even in early stages as it is the drug with the best therapeutic window particularly with regard to psychiatric side effects. In view of their high potential of causing confusion anticholinergics should best be avoided but dopamine agonist and amantadine can be tried. Again, selegeline may be considered but the advantage of delaying L-dopa for several months is less meaningful in this age group.

Box 2: Treatment strategiesearly stages

• None of the currently available drugs has a proved neuroprotective effect. Potential neuroprotective agents are under study.

• Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient’s needs. The choice of drugs is mainly influenced by age.

• Young patients are more prone to develop motor complications. L-dopa therapy should therefore be delayed for as long as other drugs, particularly dopamine agonist, adequately relief symptoms.

• In elderly patients L-dopa has the best therapeutic index and is the first line treatment.

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What Are The Latest Approved Treatments For Parkinsons Disease

Several medicines have been approved for the treatment of Parkinsons disease. Here are some of the available medicines for Parkinsons disease:

Nuplazid was approved for the treatment of patients with hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinsons disease psychosis by the Food and Drugs Administration on April 29, 2016. On December 3, 2020 The approved an update to the prescribing information for Nuplazid that will allow the medication to be taken more easily by Parkinsons patients who have difficulty swallowing.

Ongentys is a medication used for the treatment of Parkinson disease. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Parkinson disease. It is used as an add-on to levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors in patients who are having fluctuations in the control of their condition.

Opicapone was approved for treating patients with Parkinsons Disease as an add-on to levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors in patients who are having fluctuations in the control of their condition by the European Medicines Agency on June 24, 2016 and by the Food and Drug Administration on April 24, 2020.

Nourianz/Nouriast was approved by the Food and Drug Administration , USA, on August 27, 2019 and by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency , Japan, in June 2013.

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What Future Medications May Be Available For Parkinsons

There are numerous studies investigating new treatments for Parkinsons disease.

There has been new information about the role of autoimmunity and T-cells in the development of Parkinsons disease, possibly opening the door to a role for biologics.

Stem cells are also being investigated as a treatment option for Parkinsons disease.

Home Remedyfor Parkinsons #5 Vitamin D & Vitamin E:

Inflammation and low immunity are two powerful factorsthat contribute to the development and worsening of Parkinsons disease. Bothvitamin D and vitamin E are strong anti-inflammatories and immune boosters. VitaminD & E also protect our brain cells and can even help damaged neurons regenerate. A deficiency of these key vitamins has also been linked to brain difficultiessuch as poor memory and recall attainability.;

In regards to PD, a study of 157 Parkinsons patientsfound that the vast majority of them had severe to chronic vitamin Ddeficiencies. The findings, published in the Archives of Neurology in March of 2011, revealed a strong linkbetween inadequate levels of vitamin D and the onset of early Parkinson’sdisease.4

Back in 2002, another study was published in the Archives of Neurology which tracked themental decline of 3,000 men and women diagnosed with Parkinsons disease over a period of 7 years. The study found the participants whose supplemental vitamin E intakewas higher experienced a 36% reduction in theseverity of their symptoms compared to the rest of the group. Another study, whichappeared in the Lancet Neurology onlinemagazine in 2005, showed that vitamin E may actually prevent Parkinsonsdisease from developing in the first place! 8;

Where to Get Your Vitamin D and Vitamin E From?

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How Do I Prevent Falls From Common Hazards

• Floors: Remove all loose wires, cords, and throw rugs. Minimize clutter. Make sure rugs are anchored and smooth. Keep furniture in its usual place.
• Bathroom: Install grab bars and non-skid tape in the tub or shower. Use non-skid bath mats on the floor or install wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Lighting: Make sure halls, stairways, and entrances are well-lit. Install a night light in your bathroom or hallway and staircase. Turn lights on if you get up in the middle of the night. Make sure lamps or light switches are within reach of the bed if you have to get up during the night.
• Kitchen: Install non-skid rubber mats near the sink and stove. Clean spills immediately.
• Stairs: Make sure treads, rails, and rugs are secure. Install a rail on both sides of the stairs. If stairs are a threat, it might be helpful to arrange most of your activities on the lower level to reduce the number of times you must climb the stairs.
• Entrances and doorways: Install metal handles on the walls adjacent to the doorknobs of all doors to make it more secure as you travel through the doorway.

Risk Factors And Causes

There isnt one single cause of Parkinsons that has been proven at this time. Researchers believe a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, neurological damage, inflammation and brain cell deterioration are among the primary factors that trigger Parkinsons development. But why exactly patients develop these problems is a complex issue that remains up for debate.

What is known is that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible to developing Parkinsons disease, which can include:;

• Being a man, especially during older age. Research suggests that men in their 50s and 60s are most likely to develop Parkinsons.
• Genetic susceptibility: Studies have now identified several gene mutations that can put someone at a greater risk. Parkinsons has also been found to run in families, and having a sibling or parent increases someones risk.
• Damage to the area of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces brain cells that are responsible for making dopamine.
• Toxicity and exposure to chemicals, including pesticides present on produce;from non-organic farming.;Living in a rural area and drinking well-water that might contain chemicals is another environmental risk factor.
• Poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and an unhealthy lifestyle.
• Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions that affect cognitive health and increase inflammation.

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