Are there any medicine that can slow progression of PD?

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: Are there any medicine that can slow progression of PD?

Many medical practitioners propose exercise to slow progression of parkinson's disease as well as general health benefits. Unfortunaltely there are so far no answer on exercise how to slow progression of parkison's disease? Kindly elaborate Thanks
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Dr. FernandezJoined: 20 Jan 2007Posts: 90
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject:

With or without Parkinson’s disease, the benefits of exercise have been consistently proven. Moderate to vigorous exercise is good for the heart, it helps control blood pressure, lowers the “bad cholesterol”, and lessens the likelihood of developing strokes and heart attacks! At least 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise for most days of the week is recommended by the American Heart Association. If you have a pedometer, 10,000 steps per day is recommended for a healthy living! In Parkinson’s disease, the disease-modifying effect of exercise has been shown in animal models. Rats who were subjected to regular physical activity did better with their artificially-induced parkinsonism than those who were sedentary. In human epidemiological studies, Parkinson’s disease patients who exercise regularly did better than those who did not. Walking is the simplest form of exercise. Try to walk close to a mile each day (or more), if you can. We also encourage exercises that promote symmetry, such as swimming. Since Parkinson’s disease is often an asymmetrical illness affecting one side more than the other, swimming will force the arms in your ‘bad side’ to swing and propel as well as the arm on your good side. Any aerobic exercise seems to be beneficial. Other than consistency and symmetry, the most important thing to remember about exercise is safety. All the benefits are negated if one falls and sustains a hip fracture. Therefore, walking is only good if one has a reasonably low risk of tripping or falling. Biking is good if one can keep his or her balance, otherwise, a stationary bike will achieve the same effect (and many Parkinson’s disease patients choose stationary bikes with seats that have backs on them—to prevent falls). Yours,_________________Hubert H. Fernandez