Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease


Does Ayurveda Have The Potential To Control Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that affects the balance, coordination, and movement of the person. Smooth and balanced movements of the body are made possible by a substance called dopamine in the brain. The substance is produced in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. When you have Parkinson’s disease, the cells of the substantia nigra start to die and reduce in number. When there is a significant reduction in the cells, signs become apparent. In the Parkinson’s disease treatment in Ayurveda, every sign and symptom are taken into count for curing the damage.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease starts slowly and may begin with just a tremor in one hand. Tremors are common, but Parkinson’s disease also commonly causes stiffness or numbness. In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, the face may not be expressive, or perhaps your arms may not swing well when you walk. Your speech may become a slur.

Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured with allopathic medications, but definitely,Ayurvedic Treatment for Parkinson disease have a relieving effect on the health. The treatment can help significantly reduce your symptoms.

The disease affects both genders equally. However, there is a study that explains men to be more apparent to have it than women.

One risk factor for Parkinson’s is ageing. Most people develop it after they have reached 60, while about 5 to 10% of people with Parkinson’s have an early onset, which develops after the age of 50. Early onsets are imputed to specific gene mutations, so we can say Parkinson’s disease to have an inheritance factor.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are –

Parkinson’s disease signs can vary from person to person. Early signs remain unnoticed or mild. The symptoms often begin slowly on one side and gradually affects both sides.

Parkinson’s signs and symptoms may include: –

  1. Tremor: – Shaking or tremor begins in a limb in your hand or fingers. The hand may tremble when it is at rest.
  2. Slowed movement (bradykinesia): – After a time when you are severely affected by Parkinson’s, you may have slow movement. You may find it hard to make simple movements either. The steps become shorter when you walk. Dragging the feet is common while you try to move.
  3. Rigid muscles: – Stiffness in the muscles may affect your body. The stiff muscles may affect your motion and can be throbbing.
  4. Impaired posture and balance: – The problem is balancing the body as a result of this disorder.
  5. Speech changes: – You may speak faster, softly, slur, or hesitate before talking. The speech may sound monotone without any inflexions.
  6. Writing changes: – It may become challenging for you to write, and your writing may appear small.

When to see a doctor in Parkinson’s?

See your doctor if you have symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. The tests specified by your doctor will help to rule out the root cause of your symptoms. Once the disease is diagnosed, or the symptoms are evident, rush for a good Ayurvedic Treatment for Parkinson.

Causes of Parkinson’s disease is –

In Parkinson’s disease, neurons in the brain break down gradually or die eventually. Many of the symptoms are due to this loss of neurons only that controls the production of a chemical called dopamine. With an increase or decrease in the level of dopamine, the brain activity slows down, leading to impaired movement and other complications.

The cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known yet, but several factors appear to play a role, including: –

  • Genes: – Researchers have found out that specific genes can cause Parkinson’s disease. But this is a rare condition that occurs only when many family members are affected by Parkinson’s disease.
  • Environmental triggers: – Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors can put you at the risk of Parkinson’s disease later in your life. But the risk is very low.

The body responds differently to Parkinson’s disease, and these changes can be reflected as.

  • The presence of Lewy bodies: – Clusters of specific substances within brain cells are markers of Parkinson’s disease. These are called Lewy bodies, and these abnormal proteins in the brains of people with Parkinson’s play a role in the development of this disorder.
  • Alpha-synuclein is found within Lewy bodies: – Lewy bodies have many substances, and the important one is the protein called alpha-synuclein. It is present in all the antibodies as a clump that is hard to be broken. This is an important measure in the development of Parkinson’s disease.

Risk factors including Parkinson’s disease –

The following are the risk associated with the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease.

  • Age: – Parkinson’s disease generally begins in middle-age life, and its risk increases with age. People usually have this disease around the age of 60 or older.
  • Heredity: – Having someone in your bloodline with Parkinson’s disease increases the risk that you may have it in the near future. However, your risk is still very insignificant unless you have many relatives with the same disorder.
  • Sex: – As told, men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women.
  • Exposure to toxins: – Over time, exposure to herbicides and pesticides may positively increase your risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Stages of Parkinson’s disease are-

Many doctors use the Hoehn and Yahr scale to distinguish Parkinson’s disease stages. This scale divides symptoms into five stages, and it helps healthcare providers know how advanced the disease has progressed.

Stage 1: – Stage 1 is the mildest form. It is so mild; in fact, the symptoms that too mild to be noticed. Often the signs do not interfere with your daily life and tasks.

Stage 2: – The progression from stage 1 to stage 2 takes months or years. The noticeable signs at this stage may include changes in posture and facial expressions.

Stage 3: – At this middle stage, the old symptoms start to become more noticeable such as your slow movements. Imbalance becomes more significant and common. But people with stage 3 Parkinson’s can usually lead a normal and healthy life.

Stage 4: – It is a severe stage. At this point, you may find it extremely hard to walk without support. Reactions and muscle movements also reduce to a very extent. Living alone can be unsafe for the patient.

Stage 5: – In this advanced stage, severe symptoms can cause life-endangering situations for patients. They need a wheelchair to walk around and support to stand. Around-the-clock assistance is necessary at this time.

Also, at this stage, confusion and even hallucinations are quite common. But they appear only in the later stages when the treatment is not taken immediately.

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease –

No specific test is needed in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Your healthcare team will ask for your health history, do a neurological and physical examination. He will ask for the signs and symptoms you have been facing already.

  • Imaging tests, such as a CAT scan or MRI, are done to check out for other conditions. A dopamine transporter (DAT) scan may also be used to determine the level of dopamine.
  • Though these tests don’t directly confirm Parkinson’s, they can help rule out other conditions that can be used as a base for diagnosis.

Ayurvedic treatment of Parkinson’s disease –

Parkinson’s is related to Kampavata in Ayurveda. In old age, Vata is dominant in the body, which then starts to pool up in the brain and dries up the brain cells leading to movement problems. Weak digestive fire, presence of toxins, and disturbed digestion in the people create favourable circumstances for the vitiation of Vata in the body. So, the treatment is inclusive of herbal remedies to help with digestion. Under the Parkinson’s disease treatment in Ayurveda, a patient is advised about specific diets and regimens to help release toxins from the blood. Nerve tonics are also given to the patients, along with other medicines, to naturally cure Parkinson’s disease.