Parkinson's Disease

6th of July, 2017


Parkinson's Disease:

Parkinson's Disease is a disease of the Central Nervous System and mostly occurs among the elderly.
As we age, our cells don't regenerate at the rapid rate they use to and cause a decline in mobility and memory.
Some of the symptoms of Parkinson's are tremors of the hands, stiffness, poor balance.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson's Disease but medications can be taken to alleviate the symptoms. Muscle rigidity is a very common symptom and can limit the range of motion in this case. Automatic movements such as chewing, blinking, and smiling can decline as well. In severe cases, slurred speech also occurs and makes talking very difficult.


There are several causes of Parkinson's:


Natural aging process where cells do not multiply rapidly enough to keep up with demand
Environmental Triggers. Constant exposure to environmental toxins can increase the risks for Parkinson's.
Genetics. Certain genetic mutations increase the likelihood of developing Parkinson's.
Lewy Bodies are clumps of proteins that collect inside nerve cells and increase the chances for Parkinson's as well.

Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease. This is possible because men do not reap the protective benefits of estrogen and they are more likely to hold jobs which leads to head injuries.

To diagnose Parkinson's Disease it is important to see a medical professional. They can conduct brain scans such as PET scans and MRIs. Levodopa is a popular medication that may be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's.

Preventing Arthritis

21st of June, 2017

Preventing Arthritis:

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints which causes stiffness, pain and limited range of motion. Arthritis is more likely to inflict people of older ages, from normal wear and tear of the joints. Genetics, excess wear

and tear, injury and the natural aging process can both increase the risk for arthritis. While arthritis can be painful, it is not life threatening. Here are some tips to prevent arthritis from afflicting you:

1. Keeping your weight at a healthy number can definitely reduce the likelihood of arthritis. When the body carries around excess weight, it puts extra stress on the skeletal system, joints, and muscles. keeping excess weight off will reduce stress on your joints and prevent deterioration.

2. Keeping a healthy diet and eating plenty of fish can help you keep your bones healthy. The healthy omega-3 fats in fish, help you keep a strong skeletal system, keep excess weight off and provide your body with much-needed nutrients.

3. Engage in low-impact exercise, which will help strengthen your muscles, keep the excess weight off the bones and joints. The best, low impact exercise is biking, swimming, yoga, pilates, walking.

4. Prevent injury during any activity by wearing the appropriate protective devices, cushioned shoes, and other safety gear. Preventing injury is the best way to diminish the likelihood of arthritis in people of all ages and genders.

5.  Keep your Vitamin D levels high by engaging in outdoor activities with sun exposure. Yes, you can take vitamins to ensure you have proper levels of Vitamin D. However, Vitamin D from the sun cannot be replaced by a pill and is necessary for proper calcium absorption and strong bones.

6. Stay Hydrated by drinking plenty of non-sugary water throughout the day. The cartilage in our joints largely consists of water and drinking water is necessary to replenish it. Not only that, drinking water helps keep off excess weight and helps the body function better overall.

Use these tips daily, check in with your doctor regularly and help prevent arthritis!

Best Summer Flowers to Plant

23rd of May, 2017

Best Summer Flowers to Plant:


Summer is just around the corner and a great summer activity is gardening. Gardening can be done alone, with a family member, friend or with a caregiver. You can grow fruits, vegetables or flowers that can freshen up the look of your garden.
Some flowers are easy to grow even if you are a beginner gardener.

Here are some of the easiest plants/flowers that you can grow this summer:

1. Sweet peas are a common flower for gardening. They need plenty of sunlight and water but not much of other maintenance. Some pesticides may need to be used with this flower as they do attract insects.

2. Marigolds are another beautiful flower that can be planted for a pop of color. They are a beautiful yellow flower that will brighten up even the dullest of gardens. Marigolds can survive the hottest weather and are low maintenance.

3. Pansies are a classic, simple flower for any beginner gardener. They grow very quickly and are easy to plant  - their seeds can be purchased anywhere and the flower comes in several different colors.

4. Lavender is a bright purple flower that smells absolutely exquisite. If you are into fragrant flower, this may be the perfect flower for you. Adding it to your garden will create a relaxing scent and the maintenance is not difficult once it is planted. Lavender can grow in wet and dry climates - so choose wisely.

Tips and Tricks for Beginners 

-Plant your plant in an optimal spot in your home or garden. Some plants thrive better in sunshine, others in rain - read the description prior to purchasing the plant and plant it accordingly. Some areas of your home are sunnier than others.

-If the leaves of your plants begin to turn yellow - that means you are watering your plant too much. Try to avoid watering the leaves directly when watering the plants.

-Check the requirements for watering your plants. Not all plants and flowers require the same amount of water. Check the requirements before purchasing. If you are a busy person, purchase flowers and plants that require minimal watering.