Things Patients Can Do to Manage Their Problems

For Motor Symptoms, good Neuro Physicians should be consulted, but for non-Motor Symptoms, you have to consult different good doctors such as General physicians, eye surgeons, Dentists, Ortho, etc.

Daily exercise and activities are essential to realizing the medication's full benefit. Just as running water does not freeze, moving muscles do not freeze as well.

When Walking:

1) Walk slowly with a straight posture and spread the legs (10 Inches).
   Think about taking big steps to help keep your steps more normal.
   
2) Use 4 prong cane or a walker if needed.

3) If you become stuck or frozen in one place, rock gently from side to side or pretend to step over an object on the floor.

4) Place tape strips on the floor to guide you through your house. Remove area rugs and furniture from your walking path.

5) Stand up from a chair or bed slowly to avoid feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

6) Swing arms and look straight ahead. Your feet should know where the floor is located. In Parkinson's disease, arms are normally stuck to your body.

7) Practice walking sideways, backwards, and take big steps.

8) If the body tilts to one side, carry a shopping bag loaded with books in the opposite hand to decrease the bend.

For Getting in and out of a chair:

1) To sit down, bend forward as for as possible and sit down slowly. Get close to the chair. Do not fall into the chair.

2) To get up, move to the edge of the chair, bend forward and push up vigorously using your arms; try to count 1, 2, 3, GO. Don't let people drag you up by your arms but help you by pulling you under your arms or with a slight push on your back.

When using the Bathroom:

1) Install grab bars on the wall beside toilets and inside showers and bathtubs to help you stand up.

2) Use a shower chair inside the shower.

3) Install an elevated toilet seat to make standing up easier after using the toilet.

4) Shave with an electric razor.

While Dressing:

1) Wear simple dresses or pants with elastic waistbands.

2) Wear loafers or shoes with Velcro.

3) Practice buttoning and unbuttoning your clothes, cutting food, and writing. Squeeze a ball to keep your fingers busy many times a day, tear papers, and take coins out of your pocket.

4) Always try to dress yourself completely. Dress in the most relaxed and comfortable position. Sit or stand, but ensure you are in a safe position.

When Eating or Drinking:

1) Use a cup with a large handle to make it easier to hold.

2) Use a bowl instead of a plate to limit spills and make it easier to scoop up food.

For Maintaining proper Balance:

1) To ensure good body balance, practice rapid excursions of the body backward, forward, and to the right and left, five minutes several times a day.

2) Stand with hands-on-hips and feet spread apart and practice marching in place.

For Speech, Face, and Chewing Difficulties:

1) Practice Singing and reading aloud with forceful lip movements. Talk into a tape recorder if available.

2) Practice making faces in front of the mirror. Recite the alphabet and count numbers with exaggerated facial motions. Massage your face with vigor when washing or bathing.

3) When chewing food, chew hard and move the food around; avoid swallowing large lumps.

The above outlined general exercises and suggestions are mentioned to help the patient. Though there is no cure for this disease up to this time, the primary purpose of the above is to make the life of patients easier, more comfortable, and always avoid falls.

Note: I am not a doctor, please consult a Neuro physician for diagnosis and treatment for Parkinson's, here I have narrated the journey of my wife's Parkinson's journey.