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II. Combining treatment with therapy
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Instead, if you’ve recently been diagnosed with it, you’re going to need to learn how to cope with your new condition. At first, it may not seem like that much of an issue. Parkinson's Disease can sometimes start out with barely noticeable tremors. However, as time goes on, this progressive nervous system disorder will start to affect your motor skills more and more. You may eventually have to deal with soft or slurred speech, poor writing ability, and rigid muscles.
Medications like Azilect® (rasagiline) can improve your symptoms, but it is important to consider the following suggestions as well. [1]
Medications
No matter your situation, once you have Parkinson’s disease, you will need to take medication eventually to help minimize your motor control issues. So you might as well seize the initiative and talk to your doctor now about what medication may be right for you.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may recommend Azilect® (rasagiline). This MAO-B inhibitor type of medication will slow the disease’s breakdown of the brain’s chemical dopamine, which you need to be able to control your movement and coordination. So for early Parkinson’s disease, it can delay symptoms from worsening. And for more advanced Parkinson’s disease, it can be used in combination with levodopa to improve motor skills and daily activities.
If the expense of the treatment is daunting, just ship your prescription medication through an international or Canadian pharmacy referral service. Doing this will allow you to get your medication through a licensed pharmacy that’s in a country where prescription prices are more affordable than their American equivalents. [2]
Combining treatment with therapy
To strengthen your control over your Parkinson’s disease symptoms, you should consider taking therapy alongside your medication.
Useful therapies may include the following:
a. Physical therapy
More specifically, look into Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG training. Under this physical therapy, you’ll retrain your muscles to handle more overexaggerated movements, such as high steps and arm swings. As you do, you should also be able to delay your hypokinesia, which is when your movement becomes increasingly smaller and more shuffling. [3]
b. Occupational therapy
Much like the name suggests, occupational therapy will help you figure out how to work while dealing with Parkinson’s disease symptoms. So if the tremors, stiffness, or slowness from the disease are hampering your ability to work, an occupational therapist will come up with movements that make the work easier and safer to perform. [4]
c. Speech therapy
If Parkinson’s disease has made talking significantly difficult, speech therapy might be a stronger help to you. It will give you methods of working around your speech impediments so that you can communicate better and easier. [5]
Lifestyle changes
Not everything that treats your condition needs to be overly complicated. Another thing you could do to manage your Parkinson’s disease symptoms is to make simple lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.
Over time, you should see improvement in your quality of life with less obstruction from your Parkinson’s disease for years to come. [6]
The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.