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What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke If They Have Parkinson’s


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February is heart month, so it’s the perfect time to talk about the cardiovascular system and how to keep it healthy!

I’ve worked in cardiac rehabilitation since 1994, I am passionate about educating the public about prevention of heart disease and stroke.

An analysis suggests a link between Parkinson’s disease and the risk for stroke. It’s not clear which causes which since there are types of Parkinsonisms that are vascular and probably due to a stroke or many mini strokes. Researchers aren’t quite sure if Parkinson’s somehow raises the risk for ischemic stroke (caused by a clot) or if having a stroke weakens the brain, raising the risk that a patient will develop Parkinson’s.

Regardless of the reason, everyone should minimize their risk of stroke by abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol intake, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling high blood pressure, preventing diabetes, and reducing stress. Continue reading “What to Do If Someone Is Having a Stroke If They Have Parkinson’s”

Honor thy Journey, Neil Diamond

Everyone has their own unique journey.

My journey is to help people move correctly and limit pain to slow the progression of Parkinson’s and to empower them live the life they love.

My heart was heavy when I heard the news of our beloved Neil Diamond being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He had completed 2 of the 3 legs of a huge world-wide tour which involved a rigorous schedule and 50 live shows.

At age 77, most people would become exhausted and perhaps not even attempt it. After all, how many bands break up or young artists have breakdowns because of the stress and pressure of the road. But Neil Diamond wanted to celebrate 50 years of entertaining with 50 shows. Continue reading “Honor thy Journey, Neil Diamond”

How to Safely Help Someone with Parkinson’s Get up After a Fall

When someone falls, our first instinct is to help them up quickly usually without thinking about our own back. People typically don’t fall in a convenient place or perfect position. Many times, it’s in a shower or tub, by a bed wedged between a nightstand, or even in a closet. If your loved one is twice your size and has Parkinson’s, it could be hazardous to you if you try to lift them.

Watch the video below to learn how to safely help someone with Parkinson’s get up after a fall: Continue reading “How to Safely Help Someone with Parkinson’s Get up After a Fall”

How to Get Up After a Fall When You Have Parkinson’s

Falls happen even if your balance isn’t compromised. If Parkinson’s has caused your balance to become an issue, a fall can be catastrophic. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 1 in 4 Americans aged 65+ fall each year; every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; and every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.

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What happens if you are alone and fall? Watch my video to learn what you need to do to get up after a fall. Continue reading “How to Get Up After a Fall When You Have Parkinson’s”

“High Intensity” Exercise is Beneficial for Parkinson’s Disease, But What Is “High-Intensity?”

I am getting asked a lot about the study recently reported in The New York Times about the positive effects of high-intensity treadmill exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease. Is it the treadmill or the intensity that has the benefits? I can answer that quickly. It’s not the treadmill, it’s the intensity!

Intensity is the key to slowing down the progression of PD. With intensity, there are a lot more opportunities to create results for brain change. We’ll start with the basics of intensity. Here is a quick overview of the article: Continue reading ““High Intensity” Exercise is Beneficial for Parkinson’s Disease, But What Is “High-Intensity?””