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Parkinson’s disease is a complex and chronic disease that affects patients’ quality of daily life and even their families. Therefore, it is complicated to deal with this disease. At the Health & Care Professional Network Center, we provide different services to these patients that can be useful in various aspects of their lives. Occupational and physical therapy and skilled nurses who can effectively control symptoms such as urinary incontinence are just some of this center’s services that can be valuable for patients with Parkinson’s.
In this article, we focus on medications and surgery as effective options in Parkinson’s therapy and explain the influential role of home health care centers in managing the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and neurological disease that affects a patient’s movement. The symptoms of this disease begin gradually. For example, at first, there may be an imperceptible tremor in one hand. Although tremor is a common symptom, in this disorder, the muscles gradually tighten, and the movement slows down. Unfortunately, over time, the symptoms of the disease worsen. It is true that Parkinson’s is not cured, but the good news is that medications and supportive therapies can significantly improve your symptoms.
Call your physician right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean having Parkinson’s, and there may be other reasons. Your doctor will make the necessary assessments and address your concerns.
Parkinson’s may not be treated, but its symptoms can be managed. The following options are now available to control the symptoms of the disease:
You do not need Parkinson’s therapy in the early stages of the disease because your symptoms are very mild. During this time, we recommend that you stay under the supervision of your doctor to monitor your symptoms.
Other widely used services of this center are:
Several options can help you cope with your symptoms on a day-to-day basis. Home health centers can also play an effective role in your daily life. With the help of these centers, you can make the right changes in your life that will make you more compatible. For example:
It is not the whole story. Other options in Parkinson’s therapy, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, can help you maintain your daily activities despite illness. In the following paragraphs, we define each of the treatments.
Physiotherapists can help you get rid of symptoms such as muscle stiffness through exercise. They also help improve your fitness, flexibility, and walking.
You may have difficulty swallowing and talking because of Parkinson’s. Speech therapists are very effective in this regard. They teach you useful exercises and also provide assistive technology when needed.
Occupational therapists determine areas of difficulty in your daily activities such as bathing or dressing. They then help you find a practical solution. They also adjust your house according to your circumstances and needs. This way, you can maintain your independence as much as possible.
Medications used in Parkinson’s therapy have side effects such as hypotension and dizziness. Constipation is also very common among these patients. Therefore, we recommend that you make changes in your diet to strengthen the treatment process. For example, you can:
Note that you should avoid unintentional weight loss.
The classes of oral medications used in Parkinson’s therapy:
The most important component of Parkinson’s therapy is levodopa. This drug releases dopamine in the brain, which improves the nervous system’s function and muscle movements. Side effects of this drug include dizziness and fatigue. Levodopa is first given in low doses and then gradually increased. Long-term use of this drug can lead to the following symptoms:
These drugs have a dopamine-like structure and induce the same effects. Dopamine agonists are usually given in tablet form and have milder effects than levodopa. Hallucinations and confusion are side effects of these drugs. Compulsive behaviors such as addictive gambling, compulsive shopping, and an excessively increased interest in sex may also occur following the use of dopamine agonists. Therefore, the patient and family members should be aware of these symptoms and consult the doctor if necessary.
Given these side effects, they should be used with caution, especially in elderly patients. In some cases, dopamine agonists are given at the same time as levodopa so that the patient can take a lower dose of levodopa.
Drugs such as selegiline and rasagiline fall into this category. These drugs inhibit the function of the enzyme involved in the breakdown of dopamine; thus, the amount of dopamine in nerve endings increases. Fortunately, the side effects of these drugs are less than levodopa. Patients taking Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors may experience abdominal pain and high blood pressure.
These medications also help control tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.
These drugs are prescribed to patients who are in the final stages of the disease. These drugs inhibit the Catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme and prolong the levodopa effects. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are some of the side effects of these drugs.
Deep brain stimulation is a method of Parkinson’s therapy that is not recommended for all patients. In this method, a pulse generator such as a heart pacemaker is placed in the chest wall. The electric current generated by the generator is sent using thin electrodes to the specific parts of your brain and may reduce your symptoms.
Parkinson’s is a complex disease that can lead to many problems, including depression and anxiety in patients. There are also solutions to deal with these problems. The following is a list of some common problems in Parkinson’s patients and their treatment options:
Depression and anxiety | Exercise, psychological therapy, or medication |
Erectile dysfunction | Medication |
Severe sweating | Antiperspirant, or surgery in severe cases |
Excessive drooling | Swallowing exercises, or surgery, or medication |
Urinary incontinence | Exercises, medication, or surgery in severe cases |
Dementia | Cognitive therapies and medication |
Swallowing difficulties | Eating softened food, using a feeding tube in more severe cases |
Insomnia | Making changes to your normal bedtime routine |
You may be very confused when you receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Living with chronic illnesses is definitely difficult and can make you angry, depressed, and frustrated.
Undoubtedly, friends and family will help you effectively. Besides, you can join people who are going through similar situations. Such a support group can be a great help to you and a good source of practical information about Parkinson’s.
In addition to the above, you have to make changes in your daily life:
You can use the following options to improve pain, fatigue, and depression as you go through the treatment process:
Note that you need to increase your knowledge about this disease and the related complications to better deal with problems. Access to educational content is one of the items that you and your family members should consider. Accordingly, our team provides you with appropriate training materials, skilled nurses, and experienced caregivers so that you can deal with your illness with the least stress and worry.
In this center, you can also access physical therapy and occupational therapy services to cope with symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and movement problems.
If you need to inquire, you can contact us or put your contact information in the form on the site and our consultants will contact you as soon as possible. We have compiled this blog based on the experiences we have gained over the years working with Parkinson’s patients, as well as the questions that most of our clients ask. You can also ask your questions so that we can provide more effective educational content based on your needs.