Parkinson’s disease and Exercise

Great strides have been made in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in the last decade. Motor function has been improved by new dopamine agonists and COMPT inhibitors and several new medications will shortly become available to the general public.

The treatment of other illness and symptoms which are also present in Parkinson’s disease has also greatly improved over the years, and though Parkinson's disease is still incurable, it is much easier to manage in the majority of sufferers than it once was only a few years ago.

A small select group of sufferers can also benefit from surgical therapy. Again there has been huge strides made in the effectiveness of surgical intervention with Parkinson's disease, and though not always as effective as one may hope, again many symptoms can be relieved and improved to a fairly good degree.

However drug and surgical intervention is not the only answer to combating Parkinson's disease, in order to ensure good health is maintained, it is always a good idea to try and introduce an effective exercise programme that will be both beneficial and suitable for the sufferer of Parkinson's disease.

Medications and treatments, although significant and obviously very desirable, are not sufficient for treating every single aspect of Parkinson’s disease. Because there are also many side effects and symptoms which traditional treatments actually cause or are unable to treat.

Due to many people who suffer with Parkinson’s disease being fairly well educated and erudite, it's usually a fairly simple job to keep them motivated in the early stages of the disease. However it should be noted that as the disease progresses, many people who suffer from Parkinson's fall into depression. It's not yet been established (as with dementia), whether this is a natural progression of the disease or whether it is a side effect resulting from the limiting symptoms.

Therefore it is important that sufferers are encouraged to take a keen interest in keeping their health at an optimum. This includes taking regular exercise for as long as they can.

No one expects a person who is suffering from Parkinson's disease to join a gym or run a marathon; however sensible exercise is not only desirable, it should be positively encouraged.

Exercise that can be undertaken by someone who does not suffer extensively from tremors or rigidity etc is walking. Walking is one of the best types of exercise there is and it should be positively encouraged in anyone who is able to take walks for as long as they are able.

Swimming is also an excellent form of exercise, and once walking becomes too difficult for the Parkinson's disease sufferer, then swimming can be an excellent alternative.

Keeping that person motivated and encouraging them to take control of their own life and illness, can often mean the difference of weeks or months in ensuring their Parkinson's disease symptoms are kept to a minimum for a much longer period.