Parkinson’s Disease is an incurable neurological condition that causes the death of neurons in the brain. It affects movement and motor skills, which can be difficult to manage in older adults. Many people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) experience cognitive impairment due to the condition itself or other factors such as medications and depression. Cognitive impairment is common among individuals with PD because of their decreased mobility, memory problems, and more severe symptoms of dementia. No treatments are available to cure Parkinson’s Disease completely, but it can be managed with proper medications and physical activity.
In this post, we will explore why physical activity can help reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s patients and offer some tips on how to exercise safely with your doctor’s approval!
Living with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. It affects not only motor abilities but also cognitive functions such as memory or perception.
Parkinson’s patients are often advised to exercise regularly since physical activity can help reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, research has shown that some people are more likely than others to benefit from exercise programs for Parkinson’s Disease: those who live in retirement communities or assisted living facilities (ALFs).
The cause is unknown, but it’s thought to be hereditary or due to environmental factors like toxins. A doctor can diagnose Parkinson’s Disease through physical examination and tests such as blood tests or brain scans. There’s no cure for Parkinson’s, but medications can help relieve symptoms like stiffness or muscle spasms if you have milder forms of the condition.
Physical activity is one of the best ways to protect your brain from age-related decline. Even if you’re not an athlete or fitness buff, daily exercise can make you sharper, more alert, and less likely to fall victim to memory loss as you age.
- Physical activity may improve walking ability and balance in Parkinson’s disease patients: Research shows that regular physical activity can help prevent cognitive decline in PD patients by improving their balance and coordination skills, so they’re less likely to fall, which may result in injury or hospitalization; increasing blood flow throughout the brain; reducing stress hormones like cortisol; improving sleep quality; strengthening bones through weight-bearing exercises such as walking on an incline treadmill (an example of this would be climbing stairs); keeping muscles strong enough to support joints throughout life span-which helps avoid osteoporosis later on the down road when bones are more brittle due to lack exercise over time.
- Several studies have shown that exercise can help alleviate depression in Parkinson’s patients. In a study conducted by researchers at the University of California at Irvine, patients who participated in an aerobic exercise program showed significant improvement in depression symptoms compared to those who did not participate or were assigned to other activities, such as stretching or toning their muscles. The researchers concluded that even moderate-intensity aerobic exercise could be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s Disease and may provide them with some relief from symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
- Exercise also plays an important role in helping to prevent cognitive impairment that can lead to dementia. As you age, your brain starts to shrink, and the blood flow decreases, which can cause problems with thinking and memory. Exercise helps keep the heart strong so it can pump more oxygen-rich blood through the body, including the brain. This improves overall health and prevents chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease from developing. It’s also thought that regular physical activity helps build up “cognitive reserve,” which is extra space in your head for storing new information after some parts have deteriorated due to lack of use (or damage).
In conclusion, physical activity can help reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s patients. We hope this information will encourage more people living with Parkinson’s Disease to get active and stay active throughout their retirement years.
