Dance away Parkinson's disease

Dear Friend,

Parkinson’s disease is second to Alzheimer’s disease as the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting more than 500,000 people in the US. Early symptoms are subtle, so cases are under diagnosed and the true prevalence is likely much higher. Parkinson’s disease affects movement which is not directly fatal, but it can significantly affect lifestyle and cause disability.

Similar to Alzheimer’s disease, medications late in the clinical course do NOT dramatically change the outcome. The key is taking action to prevent or slow the progression.

First step is identifying the risk including family history and genetics. Signs of early Parkinson’s disease are not obvious:

Acting out your dreams during sleep is correlated with eventual onset of Parkinson’s disease.

With a high risk for Parkinson’s disease, it’s important to take measures now to build and maintain the foundation for movement. The more robust neurologic base lengthens and slows the eventual decline.

Exercise to combat Parkinson’s disease needs to tackle the following aspects:

• Aerobic fitness

• Strength

• Flexibility

• Stability

• Adaptive movement (Neuroplasticity)

• Reflexes/Reaction time

• Skill development

Dance and yoga are great ways to hit many of the above components. Pro dance moves aren’t required because learning something new challenges your brain to adapt and build new pathways. The key is finding something enjoyable so it becomes sustainable and a part of your life.

Next time we will talk about optimizing the body to prevent cancer.

At BodyTimeMD, we utilize enjoyable creative options to achieve long term goals. Hope this provides some insight, let’s talk if you are interested in finding out more about your body.

 This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute giving medical advice or endorsing any treatment. The use or application of the content herein forms no doctor-patient relationship. The information in this newsletter should not substitute for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Thanks,

Mike