Learning to Live with Parkinson's

Receiving a life-changing diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can turn your world upside down. You’re likely to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. The good news is you don’t have to figure out everything all at once. But you should try to take charge of your health and your care so that you can manage your life successfully as the disease progresses.

Here are five things you can do today to improve tomorrow.

1. Learn about Parkinson’s

When it comes to your health, knowledge is power. Knowing the facts about PD can help you understand what’s happening within your body and to make informed decisions about your care. In addition to speaking to your doctor about the disease, you may want to spend time visiting the following resources to learn as much as you can about the disease and your symptoms: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or The Parkinson’s Foundation.

2. Find someone to talk to

Feeling alone is a common emotion for newly diagnosed PD patients. But the truth is there are a LOT of places to turn for support as you come to grips with your new reality. In addition to talking to family and friends, you may want to tap into a network of others living with PD.

To find a local support group, visit the American Parkinson Disease Association's resource page. Or, consider joining the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Newly Diagnosed group.

3. Get moving

In addition to helping improve balance and mobility, research shows that regular exercise may help lessen the symptoms of PD. In fact, getting 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week “had an effect similar to that of several conventional Parkinson drugs.” As a bonus, regular exercise also helps with any feelings of depression and anxiety that people often experience after a diagnosis of PD.

4. Eat well

While there is no prescribed diet for PD, good nutrition goes a long way to staying healthy and boosting your energy levels. Aim for a diet featuring a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and dairy products and protein-rich foods, such as meat and beans. If you’re unsure what to include, follow the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate program.

5. Track your symptoms

It’s important to pay attention to any physical changes in your body as well as how it responds (or doesn’t) to any medications. If possible, keep a record of any patterns related to time of day or specific movements or activities and share these with your doctor. This may help them determine how the disease is progressing and will help them make more informed decisions about your treatment.

Herb Gregg, MD, is a neurologist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.