How Exercise Can Help in Better Management of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disease affecting around 4.1 to 4.6 million individuals over the age of 50. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.

PD can leave a huge psychological impact on the patients as it is debilitating and comes with a lot of stigmas. Depression, anxiety, hallucinations, memory issues, dementia, feeling of being a burden, dehumanisation, and loneliness are deeply associated with the disease. However, proper medical intervention, family support, regular exercise, and proper diet can help patients to adjust to it in a better way.

This article focuses on the role of exercise in the better management of the disease. But let’s find out what exactly is Parkinson’s disease.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

PD affects the nervous system and body parts controlled by the nerves. According to researchers, specific changes in genes and environmental triggers like exposure to toxins or other factors may increase the risk of the disease.

Age, heredity, and gender are some of the risk factors. Like it is more common in people above 50 years, a person with a family history, and in men compared to women.

It is a progressive disease whose symptoms start slowly but worsen as the disease progresses over time. Some of its early symptoms include:

  • drooping of face
  • little or no expression on the face
  • inability in swinging your arms while you are walking
  • softened or slurred speech
  • impaired posture and balance
  • loss of automatic movements
  • difficulty in writing
  • sore and rigid muscles
  • slowed movement
  • tremors

PD is an incurable disease but medication can help in its management. However, medicines alone can’t work. Regular and specific physical activities and exercises are a must to keep the disease from rapidly progressing.

How Exercise Can Help Manage Parkinson’s Disease?

Studies show that the disease can be managed better with the help of regular exercise. According to a 2018 study those who practised Yoga twice weekly for 8 weeks, had seen a significant reduction in fall risk and improvement in their gait, posture stability, and motor function, compared to those who didn’t.

1. What are the Benefits of Physical Exercise for PD Patients?

One of the biggest benefits of regular exercising in PD patients is, it may slow the process of progression of the disease. Some other common benefits are:

  1. Building and enhancing muscle strength and endurance
  2. Improvement in gait and posture
  3. Reduction in fall risk
  4. Improvement cardiovascular health
  5. Improved cognitive health and overall motor function
  6. Weight management
2. When Should I Start Exercising if I am Diagnosed with PD?

The answer is ‘immediately.’ The sooner you start exercising the better the results and the slower the progression of the disease would be. Studies show that people who exercise are less likely to develop Parkinson’s.  Also, the time of exercise can have a positive result on the condition. For example, if you do exercise when your symptoms are best controlled by the medication then this would give you the best mobility. This would help in better performance leading to the best results.

3. What Kind of Exercise Should I Do to Manage PD?

Once you are aware of the high-risk factors and symptoms of CVD as a woman,prevention becomes easier. Some of the common practices which can help you prevent CVD are:

  • To quit smoking and moderate your alcohol intake
  • Taking a well-balanced diet enriched with whole grains, proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, fruits, and nuts, at regular intervals.
  • Managing stress and high-risk factors. 
  • Regular exercise and managing an optimum weight. 
  • Take care of your emotional well-being.
The Final Word

These exercises can be divided into four categories:

  1. Aerobic exercises: A recent study suggests that aerobic exercise can improve the global motor function of patients with PD especially when high-intensity exercise is involved. Also, it can help manage prodromal features of PD like constipation, bodily pain, depression, and excessive daytime sleep.
  2. Strength training exercises: They may help in strengthening the muscles and hence in the improvement of motor function and posture. Start with fewer repetitions of weight training which can be done twice a week. You can increase the intensity gradually. 
  3. Flexibility training exercises: Stretching will help you a lot in releasing stress and pain from your muscles. You can do a total of three repetitions of stretches, 30-60 seconds per set, for the major muscle groups. 
  4. Balance and agility training exercises: Yoga is good for attaining balance and agility in your body. However, a mix of other forms of exercise will also help in this direction. You can do a combination of various exercises like dancing, gardening, golfing, swimming, water aerobics, Pilates, No-contact boxing, and Yoga.
  5. Regular activities: Daily routine activities like washing dishes, folding laundry, and shopping can also help you in delaying the degeneration process.
Risks and Precautions

Some symptoms of PD like Parkinson’s tremors can worsen with exercise if done extensively and without proper supervision. Injury is a possibility which can be avoided with proper stretching before and after any exercise. Take care of your form, equipment, room lighting, and clothes to avoid accidents. Keep a track of how you feel after every form of exercise to understand what is working in your favour.

Role of Diet in Managing PD

 

A well-balanced diet is beneficial to your general well-being. However, it can help in the management of specific conditions like PD. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, lean protein is advisable for better management of PD.

 

As a patient with PD, you can have issues like; constipation due to the slowdown of the digestive system and dehydration due to the drying effect of the medicines. Hence, fibre-rich and easily digestible home-cooked food would be best. Also, intake of ample amounts of water and other healthy fluids is essential to keep yourself hydrated.

Bottom Line

Some advanced treatment procedures can also help manage the condition. Depending on the condition of the patient and his or her response to medication more advanced treatment methods can be opted. However, in most cases, physical exercise gives good results provided it is started immediately after one is diagnosed with the disease. Seeking therapy and an exercise regime from experts can help. 

 

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6009016/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/exercise-and-parkinsons-frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=Can%20Exercise%20Prevent%20%20Parkinson’s%3F,less%20likely%20to%20develop%20%20Parkinson’s.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7851311/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9200-exercise-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease#:~:text=Aerobic%20exercise%20involves%20activities%20that,minutes%20may%20slow%20Parkinson’s%20decline.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/fighting-parkinson-disease-with-exercise-and-diet

https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/parkinsons-exercises#pt-and-ot

https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/the-best-exercises-for-parkinsons-disease-and-why-physical-activity-is-important/

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/exercise-and-parkinsons-frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=Can%20Exercise%20Prevent%20Parkinson’s%3F,less%20likely%20to%20develop%20Parkinson’s.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/fighting-parkinson-disease-with-exercise-and-diet#:~:text=The%20Role%20of%20Diet,stay%20energized%20and%20healthy%20overall.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062

 

 

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