Latest news with #WorldParkinson'sDay
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Is exercise the perfect antidote to Parkinson's disease? Neurologist explains, shares workout routine to follow
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Commonly affecting older adults, it manifests through both motor symptoms, such as tremors, slowed movement, stiffness, and balance issues, and non-motor symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and memory loss. Although Parkinson's disease currently has no cure, its progression can be managed and slowed with appropriate treatment and lifestyle adjustments. Also read | World Parkinson's Day 2023: Signs and symptoms of brain disorder in young people In an interview with HT lifestyle, Dr. Nitika Mahajan, consultant neurologist, Livasa Hospital, Khanna said, 'While Parkinson's may not have any cure to date, the impact of regular exercise on it is nothing less than a miracle. Latest research has proven that regular exercise strengthens the connections of brain cells and increases the release of dopamine, thereby promoting neuroprotective effects, and is thus capable of altering the disease course.' 'Exercising proves extremely helpful in combating both motor and non-motor symptoms, as exercise helps in increasing the release of happy hormones called endorphins in our brain,' said Dr. Nitika Mahajan as she recommended these three types of exercises for slowing down the progression of Parkinson's disease: Also read | Regular 1-2 hours of moderate exercise twice a week slows progression of Parkinson's disease, finds study Aerobic exercises: It includes walking, cycling and treadmill, which can slow down the progression of motor symptoms even in advanced stages of the disease. Resistance or strength training: Strength training includes weightlifting, resistance or elastic bands. These exercises help by decreasing rigidity and improving muscle strength. Balancing exercises: Workout routines such as yoga and tai chi, a Chinese martial art, can help in improving the balance, thereby preventing falls, which are very common in advanced stages of the disease. Also read | Tips for patients and caregivers on living well with Parkinson's disease 'In case you are wondering which one gives the best results, then ideally it is recommended to create a multimodal exercise plan combining all three types of exercise, thus impacting and improving all the domains of the disease,' the neurologist highlighted the importance of having a combined routine including all three types of exercises. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bromsgrove: Free gym memberships for people with Parkinson's
Free gym memberships are being offered by a leisure centre to people living with Parkinson' Sport and Leisure Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with the district council, designed the scheme alongside the charity Parkinson's membership provides free access to gym, swim and group exercise for people with the condition, as well as online Synergy Dance can also be given to up to three carers to provide additional support, Everyone Active said. World Parkinson's Day, which took place on Friday, raises awareness of the progressive neurological condition that currently has no 153,000 people in the UK are living with the condition, which affects everyone differently with more than 40 symptoms, including tremors, stiffness and Everyone Active spokesperson said they were currently supporting 37 people in Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire, living with Parkinson' Betteridge, the firm's contract manager, said they believed the membership "made a real difference" to people and their carers."We want to provide a safe and welcoming environment where the whole Parkinson's community feels supported, and are confident we have an activity for all, no matter what your age, ability or fitness level," he said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Woman says dancing with Parkinson's group 'gives new spark'
A woman who has Parkinson's and is cared for by her husband says dance sessions for patients has "given us a new spark".Jacqui Pannett, 71, said the classes help her feel "peaceful" because other people in the group experience similar symptoms to her, including tremors and Friday, she and her husband Richard performed in a Dance for Parkinson's group at Southmead Hospital, in Bristol, to celebrate World Parkinson's Day. She said: "It's the best medication we could have had to move us along."Rachael James, who runs the sessions, said the group helped people "forget about the illness". UK-wide, more than 153,000 people are thought to be living with the disease which impacts mobility, speech, focus, sleep and independence. There is currently no number is expected to increase due to population growth and Alan Whone, a neurology consultant at the hospital, said dancing and movement improves physical and mental added: "There is some evidence emerging you may slow the progression of the condition and actually protect brain cells."The dance sessions are hosted by The Original Spinners, which have been delivering the programme in Bristol since 2017, and more than 20 patients get involved. Mrs Pannett told the BBC she was inspired to join the group after watching Jeremy Paxman, a former TV presenter, take up ballet for a documentary about Parkinson's after his diagnosis in said: "I feel happy to be alongside people who understand where I'm at. "And if I'm having a big tremor people are used to that, and that makes me feel more peaceful in the recognition that it's an important part of Parkinson's for some people."Mr Pannett, 77, does not have Parkinson's but he said the dancing has "boosted his confidence".The couple, who live in Keynsham, have since danced independently at parties and weddings together because of the group. Professor Whone said: "Laboratory based studies have shown you may protect brain cells so they're more robust against whatever it is that's causing Parkinson's. "But also being in a group and moving helps our mental wellbeing. It releases certain chemicals in the brain which are beneficial for that."The Original Spinners invites patients to dance in rehearsals every week in Patchway, and they perform in Southmead Hospital's atrium three times a is also part of the North Bristol NHS Trust - which runs Southmead Hospital - programme called Fresh Arts which aims to enhance the experience of anyone who uses the James added that "people are so much brighter at the end"."The classes are very powerful. It allows the creative expression alongside the physical benefits and the exercise," she said."It's a really beautiful way of connecting people because it's so playful."
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Tenterden man says 'one day there will be a cure for Parkinson's'
A man from Kent who has been living with a diagnosis of Parkinson's has said he tries to stay active and positive every Harvey, from Tenterden, also said he was confident one day a cure for the condition will be Parkinson's Day is on Friday, with events organised to highlight awareness of the condition and the help Harvey says, despite occasional "dark thoughts", he always tells himself "life could be far worse". "As long as I can continue to go to jazz concerts at Ronnie Scott's, and the theatre and meet up with old mates for lunches, a positive approach and a supportive partner as I've got with my wife Helen, it is absolutely key to combating the disease," he said."Because one day there will be a cure." He said staying active has been key to his approach to Parkinson's."All the literature I read said vigorous exercise for at least two and a half hours every week could help to slow the disease's progression," he said."Every Monday I have a fitness session with an ex-army physical training instructor at the Tenterden Boxing Club, on Fridays I work with a specialist Parkinson's trainer and I go on an organised walk each Wednesday." Parkinson's is a condition in which parts of the brain become damaged over many years, affecting speech and names affected by the condition include comedian Billy Connolly, the musicians Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond and Linda Rondstadt, and the actor Michael J Fox, who campaigns and fundraises in a bid to find a part of World Parkinson's Day hundreds of people around the UK will join together to sing Gloria Gaynor's disco classic I Will Survive from 13:00 BST.
Telegraph
11-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
World's Toughest Drive: My African Adventure, review: a devastating portrait of living with Parkinson's
You know those travelogues where you strongly suspect that the pampered presenter flew in for a few days, stayed at a five-star hotel, filmed a few stage-managed encounters, then flew home again? World's Toughest Drive: My African Adventure (Channel 4) was the polar opposite. And far better for it. Broadcast to coincide with World Parkinson's Day, this quietly devastating documentary followed Colonel Guy Deacon, a formerly fit and healthy army officer who has been living with Parkinson's disease for the past 12 years. His diagnosis came as a shock. 'I was the breadwinner and a leader of men,' he said with tears in his eyes. 'Now I can't get out of bed. It's a role reversal which isn't welcome.' Upon retirement, Deacon set out on one last adventure – his long-cherished dream to drive solo from his home in Dorset to Cape Town. Undertaken against all medical advice, the journey was intended to prove to the world, and to himself, that you need not give up on life if you have Parkinson's. Deacon's year-long odyssey covered 18,000 miles across 25 countries. Not to mention five vehicular breakdowns, one emergency evacuation and 3,650 prescription pills. No wonder his VW camper van rattled. The challenges he faced – illegal checkpoints, extreme weather, terrible road conditions – made this an incredible feat. Deacon described the realities of his condition in vivid terms: 'It's like wearing oversized wellies all the time and big rubber gloves that don't quite fit. Everything is laboured and difficult.' But ultimately, he was on a mission to raise awareness and provoke discussion. Many of the most powerful moments came when he met fellow sufferers: a Ghanaian MP who thought his disease was specific to Africa, a 35-year-old mother with early-onset Parkinson's who's now a campaigner. In Uganda, Hannington Kabugo had lost his mother to the disease. Shunned by her community, she spent her last years in exile and wouldn't let anyone touch her, believing it was contagious. Her son has tried to educate others. Deacon was 'inspired not to let Parkinson's have the final say in who I am and to help spread Hannington's message of hope'. The 12-month trip and vast continent meant cameras couldn't track him 24/7. Director Rob Hayward joined him intermittently, with the rest filled in by Deacon's own video diary. This patchwork feel only lent further authenticity and impact. After a shamanic ceremony in Gabon and a skydive in Namibia – how's that for not giving up on life? – Deacon reached the end. 'We've done it,' he said, slightly deflated. 'No more road.' Except there is more road. A closing caption informed us that Deacon has since suffered a stroke. He's on the road to recovery and determined to be back behind the wheel soon. From what we saw during this extraordinary and emotive film, you wouldn't bet against him.
