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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

19th of April, 2017

Rheumatoid Arthritis:


Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints and causes inflammation in major joints of the body such as knees, hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis is common in older adults and is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system confuses the healthy tissues for foreign invaders and begins to attack them. The body begins to attack and destroy joints, causing severe pain as well as other symptoms. Some other symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are tender and stiff joints, aches and pains, fatigue and on occasion fever.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Unfortunately, Rheumatoid Arthritis does not have any treatment that would reverse the progress of the disease. However, through physical therapy and medication, the progress can be slowed down significantly.  

Warm compresses and heating pads can be used to decrease pain. Physical therapy is important and can diminish the pain in the joints. A medical professional is likely to prescribe DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). These type of medication do not reverse arthritis but do slow down the progress. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary to help one live a life of mobility. 

There are ways of decreasing the likelihood of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis:

If you feel swelling or inflammation in your joints, immediately see a healthcare professional. The earlier Rheumatoid Arthritis can be detected, the better. Treatment should be started early.

Exercise also helps prevent all types of arthritic diseases. Start exercising young to build better bone density.

Quit smoking and do not over use alcohol. This can be said for any disease though. If you want to decrease your risks, you need to avoid cigarettes and alcohol as much as possible.

Maintain a good diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and avoid junk food as much as possible.