Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. The first signs and symptoms of the disease are so subtle that its often missed. Often an observant family member or friend will notice the beginning of the changes in a person, which may be so vague that it is often dismissed as occurring due to old age. Diagnosis is frequently missed in younger people since the first signs and symptoms, even when noticed earlier, may be attributed to other conditions instead of Parkinson’s disease.
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Parkinson’s disease, unless in the late stages, should not be a contraindication for traveling, provided adequate preparations are made in advance. Although it may be intimidating for a PD patient to consider traveling to distant unfamiliar places, certain basic considerations, if kept in mind, can make the trip comfortable, enjoyable, and problem-free.
Natural remedies for Parkinson’s disease may vary from herbs to homeopathic remedies, nutritional substances and floral extracts. Many modern drugs have been sourced from plants and once the active ingredient was identified, it was synthetically manufactured in easy to acquire and convenient dosage forms like tablets and capsules. In the more traditional approach to health care, the naturally occurring ingredients are either used for its pharmacological action or based on alternative approaches to treating disease. Nutrition is a cornerstone of most complementary therapies for Parkinson’s disease but individual beliefs have varied according to regional and cultural differences.
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When considering any type of alternative treatment for Parkinson’s disease, one very important point needs to be kept in mind – there is as yet no cure for Parkinson’s disease. The various treatment options available can only help to treat the symptoms of the disease and provide some degree of relief.
Treatment by means other than conventional Western medicine (allopathic medicine) falls under the banner of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). These are considered as natural therapies. Many natural forms of treatment are based on ancient systems of healing as were practiced in India, China, Africa, Tibet, and the Americas.
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Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis are degenerative neurological conditions where the patient may suffer from progressive loss of normal motor functioning, mental changes, and a gradual but relentless course leading to loss of cognitive abilities. Despite some similar signs and symptoms, these conditions, however, are different in many ways and in their presentation. At times, there is confusion among people who are not familiar with these conditions.
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There are various psychosocial factors that may lead to substance abuse and subsequent addiction and Parkinson’s patients are not immune to these pitfalls. However, it is interesting to not that some studies have shown that patients with Parkinson’s disease seem to have a low sensation seeking and a more law abiding personality trait which could protect them against the pitfalls of substance abuse and addiction.
When other factors are involved, such as the side effects of some anti-Parkinson medicines or other drugs, depression and other psychosocial factors which may be unique to a patient suffering with a disease like Parkinson’s disease, substance abuse can become a real possibility.
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Parkinson’s disease can be very demanding on the caregivers, especially in the end stages of Parkinson’s disease, when the patient is wheelchair bound or absolutely bedridden. This is the time when extra precautions have to be taken to prevent bedsore formation. Bedsores (also called pressure sores or decubitus ulcers) can be extremely painful and usually develop as a result of prolonged immobilization. It is better to take precautions to prevent bedsore formation because once they develop they can progress very fast and then become extremely difficult to heal.
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Due to the progressive loss of muscle control – both voluntary and involuntary – many other symptoms can develop in a patient suffering from Parkinson’s disease besides the typical symptoms of tremor and rigidity. Dysphagia is one such symptom. Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing is a common problem in people with Parkinson’s disease which can have far-reaching consequences.
Dysphagia can lead to shorter survival time in a patient with Parkinson’s disease, not only because the affected muscles of the throat may make swallowing difficult – hence less food intake and increased chances of under-nutrition of the patient – but also because it increases the possibility of aspiration pneumonia.
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Due to the gradually progressive nature of the disease and its various complications, falls are very common in Parkinson’s disease. By following some simple safety tips many of these falls and injuries may be prevented. The typical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as rigidity, impaired balance and slowness of movement all contribute to this tendency to fall. Bending forwards while walking with short shuffling steps, difficulty in maintaining balance while turning and freezing or stopping in mid step increase the chances of falling in a patient with Parkinson’s disease. Postural hypotension (sudden fall of blood pressure on standing) may occur as a side effect of medications, causing dizziness and increasing the risk of falling.
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