The rise in the number of patients with Parkinson's is an overwhelming figure. The disease has different effects on different people, and hence there is no textbook solution on how to deal with it and help the person get better. Improving the quality of life by including a good, sustainable diet and a routine exercise programme is the best way to combat the disease and make good progress. Practising these solutions religiously will help the affected person take baby steps to get back to their normal lifestyle. Overall, the role of lifestyle changes in Parkinson's disease can play an important role in managing Parkinson's disease symptoms and improving quality of life.

Here in this blog, we are trying to give more insight on how a good diet and lifestyle changes can help bring about remarkable changes in the life of someone affected by Parkinson's disease.

 

Lifestyle Changes for Parkinson's Disease

Dietary Changes

 

Let us first take a look at the dietary changes that need to be incorporated: 

The first step is to incorporate mindfulness into your dietary habits. When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it is mandatory to start helping yourself with a nutritious and balanced diet. It is possible to boost the patient's energy levels and keep them healthy by incorporating elements from various food groups. When it comes to Parkinson's, the chances of a deficiency in the food they eat are comparatively higher, so it is important to check and eat more of the foods that are concerned with the deficiency. Weight loss, dehydration, bone thinning, and bowel irritation are the most common side effects of Parkinson's disease.

The most serious flaw of Parkinson's is that patients begin to lose weight for no apparent reason; they appear malnourished, and this is one of the most difficult symptoms to reverse. Weight loss causes a major depletion of the fat in the body and makes it difficult for the patient to even walk and balance. 

The best way to avoid this is to have frequent meals throughout the day, and it should be mandated to have food even if the patient is not feeling hungry. Loss of appetite is another issue, which means that healthy snacks have to be within reach of the patient so that they do not miss any meals. The best foods to gain muscle mass and weight are protein rich foods like lentils, beans, fish, eggs etc. It is also necessary to add in high fatty foods like avocados, fatty fish, nuts, eggs, and dark chocolate. 

Constipation and difficulty swallowing food are another obstacle that needs to be overcome when it comes to Parkinson’s. To avoid constipation, the best way is to include high-fibre foods in the diet and make sure to consume smaller meals instead of two or three large meals. Keeping yourself hydrated is another way to avoid constipation.

The first step in overcoming swallowing difficulties is to consult a medical practitioner. The next step is to include pureed vegetables or make them into soups, and meat can be made into thick gravy and consumed. It is okay to take time to chew and swallow and also drink plenty of water along with the meals to make them easier to digest.

Eating foods high in antioxidants can help slow the progression of the disease. Even though the research on the same is not very evident, antioxidants have good effects on a person's health in general.

Eat slowly and steadily, have an understanding of the taste and feel of the meal in the mouth, and chew them well, which helps the body enhance the nutritional profile of the food. The role of lifestyle and diet changes plays a huge part in managing Parkinson's disease.

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Exercise

It is a prerequisite to start including any form of physical activity into the day-to-day routine of a person with Parkinson's. Exercise provides the body with the necessary strength to fight the disease's progression while also keeping the body away from the stress, anxiety, and depression caused by the disease.

The exercise comes to a minimum requirement of 2.5 hours a week, which can be gradually increased.

The best way to be regular with the exercise routine is to make sure to pursue something that matches or piques the patient’s interest. It can be as simple as a fun walk in the park, which can easily energise the patient’s physical and mental health. 

Make sure to target specific areas, like say, improving the balance, then the patient can incorporate slow dance moves into the routine, and if it's the overall balance of the body, then choose exercises accordingly. 

Patients who try to bring regular exercises into their daily lives show much better improvement in their physical health and also slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease in their bodies. They also have a much more positive attitude toward life and the disease.

Always consult a doctor before choosing a specific exercise because it is essential to make sure that the body is equipped to handle the strain of the exercise's intensity. 

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Sleep Schedule

A strong sleep schedule is necessary for the patients of Parkinson’s to get the maximum benefit from the medication and the diet. But most of the time, Parkinson’s makes it difficult for the patients to have a continuous cycle of sleep and is affected by insomnia. The cause of disrupted sleep cycles is that patients act out their dreams while sleeping, such as talking, punching, walking, and so on. Issues with sleep can be contributed by medications, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, dyskinesia, etc. 

The most effective way to deal with irregular and complicated sleep schedules is to devise an effective sleep routine that will assist the patient in winding down for the day and gradually falling asleep. Some ways to do that are to make sure to either take a hot water bath, read a book, or practise sleep meditation regularly. Exercise can also help induce sleep at the end of the day. 

Comfortable bedding and soothing lighting in the bedroom can help initiate sleep at the end of the day. Adjusting the height of the bed can make sure that the patient does not fall off of it.

It is also good to have dinner at a reasonable hour and give enough time for the body to digest. Also, medications have to be taken a long time before bed, which will help them function properly and will not disrupt going to sleep right after the intake of the medicine. 

Ayurvedic Treatment for Parkinson’s disease

In Ayurveda, Parkinson's is said to be the after effect of a vata imbalance. Through ayurvedic massages and medications, it brings about a great change in the overall health of the patient. The ayurvedic process will not show immediate results, but the time taken for the results to show up is worthwhile as it is sustainable. Ayurvedic Treatment for parkinson’s disease can be used to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected. Panchakarma therapies that include both medication and ayurvedic massages are the therapies suggested for people with Parkinson’s disease. It is an entire package where the medicines help remove toxins from the body and the massages with medicated oils give back strength to the muscles. During this time, the patients are given a diet, which also helps them feel rejuvenated and more receptive to the Panchakarma therapy.

These changes, when put into effective practice, can help the person recover smoothly and come back strong to their normal life. Only by making these factors a prerequisite, can there be credible changes in the life of a person with Parkinson’s. In every way, the role of lifestyle changes in Parkinson's disease is very predominant.

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