3 tips to help manage Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive nervous system disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide. The first signs of the disease typically include unintended or uncontrollable movements, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. The exact cause of Parkinson’s isn’t known yet, but low levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for its development. Here are some treatment options, meal plans, and lifestyle changes that can help manage Parkinson’s disease: Explore treatment options Doctors typically explore several treatment methods to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These include: Carbidopa-levodopa This combination treatment is one of the most effective remedies for Parkinson’s disease. It can help combat common symptoms such as shakiness, stiffness, and difficulty in moving. While levodopa helps replace the missing dopamine, carbidopa helps prevent levodopa’s side effects—nausea and vomiting. Another function of carbidopa is to prevent levodopa from getting converted into dopamine too early, so more of it can enter the brain. This combination treatment is sold under the brand name Rytary®, among others. Rytary® is an extended-release treatment that reduces the amount of “off” time each day in people with Parkinson’s while improving the performance of motor functions. Some common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, and insomnia.