About this topic
Parkinson disease is a slowly worsening illness. With this illness, you are not able to control your body movements. The part of the brain that makes a substance called dopamine is damaged. You need dopamine to help control your muscle movements. It makes the muscles more flexible and movements smooth. ‚
Your treatment will work toward keeping your disease from getting worse. It will also help to keep you in good physical condition and will treat your muscle movements. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what your doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Find someone who can help you, when needed.
- Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
- Feeling tired is often a problem. Rest after your therapy sessions. Give your body enough time to recover. Take short naps and try to get 8 hours of sleep at night. Sleep problems can be handled. Talk with your doctor.
- You may have problems doing simple movements like eating and writing. Ask your doctor for special tools that might help. Your doctor may order an occupational therapy evaluation to find tools that will help you in your home.
- Prevent falls and accidents. Make your home as safe as possible for yourself. Remove small rugs and items that may be a tripping hazard. Have a grab bar put in your tub or near your toilet. Put a bath stool or bath seat with suction cup feet in your shower.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may talk to you about a brain implant that helps control brain stimuli. This is deep brain stimulation or DBS.
- Your doctor may send you to a physical or occupational therapist to get the strength back to your back, arms, and legs. They will also teach you how to be able to bend your back and how to help your balance.
- Your doctor may send you to a speech therapist to help you cope with problems with speaking and swallowing.
- Your doctor may send you to a doctor who specializes in the brain, nerves, and muscles. This type of doctor is called a neurologist.
- Your doctor may send you to a dietitian who can make a personal diet for you. This can help if you have problems chewing and swallowing. A personal diet plan can also give you enough nutrients to help your body heal or cope with your illness.
- Your doctor may send you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will help you cope with low mood and anxiety.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Raise the amount of dopamine in the body
- Help with muscle coordination and movements
- Help with sleep
- Soften stools
- Prevent needing to pass urine so often
Will physical activity be limited?
You may not be able to do all of your normal activities. You may need to rest more than you did before. Things like walking or writing may be harder for you to do. You may also have more problems with your balance. Your doctor may suggest an exercise program to help keep you in the best shape you can. Light exercises like stretching every morning may help. This will build muscle strength and tone and prevent stiffness. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- A high-fiber diet can help prevent hard stools.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- A soft diet, like soups and pureed veggies, may be needed if you have swallowing problems.
- Sucking on hard candy can help with swallowing and prevent drooling.
- Stay away from foods that can make you choke like:
- Peanuts
- Grapes
- Uncut meats
- Raisins
- Candies
- Raw veggies
- Popcorn
- Spillproof cups and easy-grip big spoons and forks can help make mealtime simpler and less messy.
What problems could happen?
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Injuries from falls
When do I need to call the doctor?
- If you have tripped or fallen
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night
- Low mood
- More forgetful
- Problems passing urine and with digestion
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Join a support group. People with the same illness can help you cope with your illness. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what to do to help with my tiredness.
- I can tell you about tools to help with mealtime.
Where can I learn more?
American Parkinson Disease Association ‚
http://www.apdaparkinson.org/ ‚
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/parkinsonsdisease/whatisparkinsonsdisease/01.html ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm ‚
National Parkinson Foundation ‚
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/PD-101/What-is-Parkinson-s-disease ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚