Important Parkinson's tips that are often overlooked

There are a million little details involved in managing your Parkinson's issues, but I have found four that are very important and often overlooked.

Parkinson’s tips:
Some little things your health care provider may not have told you.

Drink lots of water. Common recommended amount is 8, 8 oz glasses (total 64 oz) per day. Stay hydrated: set goals, set phone alarms, always have water handy. Instead of snacking on junk food, try having a large glass of water first, then reevaluate your hunger.

Have regular bowel movements. This is something else that lots of water can help with. Staying well hydrated helps prevent constipation. Constipation is a common side effect of many Parkinson’s medications, so if drinking lots of water does not take care of your constipation, talk to your health care provider about adding a laxative to your routine. (My doctor recommended MiraLAX). Constipation is not only uncomfortable, it also hinders your bodies absorption of many Parkinson’s medications.

Eat proper foods, at the proper times, for your medications. For example, some Parkinson’s drugs are more effective with a limited intake of protein. Some Parkinson’s meds work better when taken an hour before eating or an hour after eating. Note: I have found this to be a very important factor in the perceived effectiveness of my Parkinson’s medication. Also, healthy, natural, easily digestible foods are preferred over hard to digest and chemically processed foods. I recommend that a Parkinson’s patient consult with both their health care provider and a nutritionist to establish healthy eating habits and proper timing of food and medications.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise…. You get the idea. Beside your Parkinson’s medications, there is probably not a more important factor in your health and well-being than exercise. Because this factor is so important, it has been studied extensively. While there is not always complete agreement among the experts regarding how much exercise, what exercises are best etc., the consensus seems to be that more is better than less. Ask your health care provider for a referral to someone who can assist you in setting up a proper exercise program. Whether you take advantage of your areas jogging trails or exercise in your chair, exercise is the key to not only delaying the progression of your Parkinson’s symptoms, but also to better overall mental and physical health and well-being.