Date Posted: 27.03.2012

Parkinson’s disease: getting the most out of life
Parkinson’s disease is a very complex condition that can affect different areas of your life at different times, depending on how your symptoms are being managed and how you feel at the time. There are many complicating factors including your age, other condition that you may suffer from such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Because Parkinson’s is associated with a range of different symptoms, there may be times when it is more important for you to manage one element of your Parkinson’s over another. For example, on some days, you might be most interested in communicating clearly with friends and family; on other days, you might be more concerned about getting a good night’s sleep.

Obtaining the relevant advice and talking to your healthcare team about how they can help is of vital importance! When diagnosed most people think of the worst case scenario which may be many many years into the future, or not at all, and forget how well they feel at that time.

Be Active – In More Ways Than One!
Remember that Parkinson’s disease affects you and you have a right and a responsibility to take an active part in your own clinical management. Continue to be active by walking, swimming or doing other activities as these will help to improve your mood, bowel movement, and flexibility. Keeping a diary of how you feel or react while taking your medication, is important as a diary can help to jog your memory when you visit your physician.

All too often doctors and patients concentrate too much on motor symptoms and ignore non-motor symptoms and this may be ignoring some very important symptoms.
Source : www.parkinsons.ie