What is the first thing I can do?
Try to understand that Parkinson’s has snuck up on you, and before you got a diagnosis your motivation has taken a big nosedive and you have lost drive, muscle mass and strength. This has accelerated the progress of the disease. Dopamine is the motivation chemical to make progress and continue, not just the satisfaction when you reach a goal.
The medication is very helpful in reducing the symptoms, but sometimes it contributes to tiredness.
Lifestyle additions and behavior change can contribute to recovering several years of functional loss.
- Increase your sleep hygiene.
- Move your body, “exercise is really better than a pill” Dr Ospina Neurologist & movement specialists (boost your activity level)
- Increase polyphenols (berries etc.) and other healthy nutrition Mediterranean style plan, reduce dairy it contributes to phlegm
- Recent research for mature adults indicates protein intake daily recommended intake (DRI) by the NIH is too low now recommended is 1.25 gram per lb. body weight for men 1gram for women AND not all in one meal but spread out to feed the muscled 3-4 times a day. You can get back strength!
- Stay hydrated with electrolytes (medications circulates better in a hydrated body)
- Supplements to take D3, magnesium, zinc, omega 3 (krill oil)
- Consider herbs or mushrooms like Echinacea, lions Mane etc. Nootropics
- Socializing is very important to keep a balanced quality of life.
Detrimental risk factors for the brain first are:
Diabetes, nitrogen dioxide in the air and extent of alcohol intake.
Next biggest risk factors are:
Sleep, weight, smoking and blood pressure
Behavior change will help improve the quality of your life!
As you make progress reward yourself randomly with something that is good for you!
Suggestions by some of the class members: Jan said Sleep was important for her. Ronnie said keeping moving was important for him. Roy said the social exchange helps his mood and cognition. Pat likes the neurological information and techniques that are learned.
In every class session there are new lifestyle and movement techniques shared to have the best possible quality of life.