by admin | Jul 9, 2018 | Health Awareness, Parkinson's Disease, Stem Cell Research, Studies
Parkinson’s disease is known to be a slowly progressing neurological disorder that can cause issues with the motor movement of the body. Signs of Parkinson’s disease can include severe stiffness, loss of balance, and lethargy. Although there are no cures for the condition, symptoms can be slowed down. However, most of the prescribed drugs for Parkinson’s disease can decrease in effectiveness over the course of time. This led to some investigation from researchers to consider the role of exercise as a treatment option. Initial studies revealed that exercise does reduce the symptoms and slowed the progression of the condition.
According to a recent phase 2 study, intense treadmill exercise can potentially reduce the progression symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In this study, researchers treated exercise as a treatment and tracked the safety and effectiveness of different levels of exercise. The study consisted of 128 people that had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and were not taking any medications nor exercised. The aerobic capacity, heartbeats and the severity of the disease were tested for a baseline.
The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 was asked to continue living their life in a normal manner. Group 2 was asked to implement exercise in which they would walk on the treadmill daily for 30 minutes, four times a week. The speed of the treadmill was manipulated to maintain the heart rate of the participants between 60 to 65 percent of their maximum heart rate. Group 3 was asked to also implement exercise for the same amount of time but their heart rate was maintained in the range of 80 to 85 percent of their maximum rates. The patients were under supervision for the initial month and then asked to continue exercising on their own.
At the end of the six-month study, Group 1 showed their symptoms progressed further. Group 2 showed their symptoms progressed but not as much as Group 1. Group 3 showed almost no progression in their symptoms after following a heavier exercise regimen as the other groups. This study concluded that higher intensity exercise helped in decreasing the symptoms by improving the neuronal blood supply. Improved blood flow helps with the overall health of the brain and slows down the deterioration of the body.
The findings from the study are quite encouraging for patients who are recently diagnosed or early in their symptoms to have great benefits from the heavy exercise program. However, it is advised to consult with your physician prior to starting an exercise plan to avoid injuries and ensure your safety.
by admin | Oct 10, 2017 | Health Awareness
As winter is approaching people suffering from neurological problems can be more vulnerable to cold-related issues like severe nerve pain due to low temperature. Below are some important tips to manage the issue due to the upcoming cold weather.
HOW COLD WEATHER CAN BE AN ISSUE:
Of course, not everyone experiences the same symptoms but below are some impacts and the reasons why people may have to avoid the cold:
Nerve pain: People having a condition of nerve pain like a back pain can experience an increase in symptoms. This is caused by the reaction of the nervous system to extreme temperature be it low or high. In case of high temperature, one may feel more lethargic and if the temperature is too low it can cause increased pain.
Muscle stiffness: For patients with multiple sclerosis, muscle stiffness or spasticity due to low temperature in winters can cause severe stiffness and painful spasms. If one experiences such symptoms, it is ideal to avoid being in the cold for prolonged hours.
Loss of sensation: Some people cannot differentiate between hot and cold temperatures hence it is advisable to be mindful of not being exposed to very cold temperature or be near fire or radiators as it could be dangerous.
Blood pressure: People having issues with blood pressure and vascular problems should make sure they are not exposed to extreme temperature for extended periods of time and ensure their house is warm enough.
The reason for this is that the usual blood pressure of the body is higher than normal in winter and low in summer to maintain balance. Cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict which increases the blood pressure exerted by the heart as more pressure is required to move the blood through the narrowed veins and arteries.
Cold-related illness: Patients with Parkinson’s disease and other chronic neurological conditions are more prone to catch flu in cold weather and have a higher risk of complications with their conditions. They should consider a flu shot to protect against the seasonal flu.
Icy conditions: Snow in winter can create slippery pavements and paths that are very unsafe to walk on but if you are typically suffering from mobility issues or also experience vertigo and dizziness, you might want to take extra care of such things in an icy environment.
How can I protect myself in low temperatures?
Here are some tips for dealing with the cold weather:
- Make sure to keep warm, you can try extra layers to keep the heat in like thermal underwear. If you need to go out in the cold, keep your hands and feet covered with socks and gloves, add winter coat, hat, and scarf to your clothing. Take special care of parts where you experience nerve pain and keep them protected and warm.
- If there is a need to travel, carry hot water bottles and portable heat pads. You can also carry a flask of hot drink to keep yourself extra warm and comfortable.
- Keep the home insulated from cold and well heated. Keeping the windows and doors closed in such a weather can help preserve the heat inside.
- Maintain a healthy diet by including plenty of fruits and eating hot meals. One good important thing is to remain hydrated. This helps to keep the energy levels of the body up and running to deal with the cold weather.
- Staying physically active helps improve the circulation of the blood, generating heat and makes one feel better in cold.
- Don’t be carried away by the fact that alcohol helps keep the body warm. It makes one think they are warm because of the red cheeks which is only due to the dilation of peripheral blood vessels that allows blood to flow through such areas. Instead of warming the body, alcohol takes the much-needed heat and blood away from the core organs and major parts of the body.
- It is ideal to avoid going out in the cold if you suffer from issues associated with cold weather, it is best to ask a family member or a friend to help with errands.
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