It was a woman in her fifties who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease because of shaking hands and shoulder pain. Dr. Dai Yicheng, Department of Neurology, Yida Hospital pointed out that because of work, patients want to improve motor symptoms, so they use drugs and have a strong shopping impulse. After discussing with the doctor in detail, she realized the importance of exercise, so she started exercising for at least 30 minutes a day. After about three months, the dosage of the medicine she used was reduced to half of the original amount, and the motor symptoms were still well controlled. And the urge to shop is gone.
There are many symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, common ones are tremors, stiffness, and slow movements. Dr. Dai Yicheng pointed out that generally speaking, stiffness and slow movement respond better to drugs, so some patients will consider using other methods of treatment because their hand tremors will not improve significantly after taking the drug.
The course of Parkinson’s disease can be divided into five stages, and the dosage of drugs used in each stage is different. If the patient adjusts the dosage of the drug without authorization in order to improve the symptoms, it may shorten the honeymoon period of the drug and increase the risk of fluctuations in drug efficacy.
When patients with Parkinson’s disease start taking medication, the duration of the drug’s effect will exceed the half-life of the drug, resulting in significant improvement in symptoms. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that for example, levodopa, which is commonly used for Parkinson’s disease, has a half-life of about 2 hours, but for patients who have just started using levodopa, the drug effect can last up to 6 hours, or even 8 hours. This is because there is endogenous dopamine in the brain, and patients can improve their symptoms as long as they supplement a little dopamine. Therefore, after taking levodopa, the drug effect can last for a long time, and it is called the “drug honeymoon period”.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the endogenous dopamine in the brain decreases, and the patient must rely on exogenous dopamine to improve symptoms. Therefore, the drug can exert its effect when the drug is first taken, but after the drug concentration decreases, the patient will feel unable to move. Like a power outage.
The honeymoon period of drug use will vary depending on the amount of drug used and living habits, with an average of about 3 to 5 years. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that if patients with Parkinson’s disease cooperate well, take medicine according to the instructions, maintain regular exercise, have normal work and rest, get enough sleep, and do not drink alcohol, the honeymoon period of medication may be longer.
The honeymoon period of medication is also related to the progress of the disease and the decrease of endogenous dopamine. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that even if you don’t take medicine at all and start taking Parkinson’s medicine after a few years, the honeymoon period will still be shortened because the endogenous dopamine is getting worse. few.
In order to prolong the honeymoon period of medication, it is hoped that the drug can be controlled within a certain dose in the early stage of the disease. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that at the same time, find ways to increase endogenous dopamine. For example, regular exercise and adequate sleep are good methods. For example, exercise 30 minutes a day, exercise 5 days a week, and sleep at least 6 hours a day.
“Some patients will increase the dose of levodopa on their own due to work, and want to maintain normal movements.” Dr. Dai Yicheng said, “It is recommended not to adjust the drug by yourself. If there is a need, you can discuss it with the doctor. work needs, lifestyle, and help with medication adjustments.”
In the early stage of Parkinson’s disease, dopamine receptor agonists may be used. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that the use of dopamine receptor agonists can help improve motor symptoms, and if there are fluctuations in drug efficacy in the future, the fluctuations will be relatively small. Fluctuation of drug effect means that people will move after taking medicine, or even move randomly, and there will be uncontrollable dyskinesias; after the drug concentration decreases, the patient will become very stiff, like a power failure. Patients using dopamine receptor agonists, when there are fluctuations in drug efficacy, the amplitude of fluctuations will be relatively moderate.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, medication may need to be adjusted continuously. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that it is recommended that patients receive treatment at the nearest location, without having to travel to and fro, and that they can often discuss changes in symptoms and drug reactions with the doctor, so that the doctor can make timely adjustments.
Some patients with Parkinson’s disease or their family members will seek folk remedies. Dr. Dai Yicheng said that before trying any folk remedies, it is best to discuss it with your attending physician, so as not to spend money and hurt the body, and the gain outweighs the harm.
Shoulder pain and dragging feet may be warning signs of Parkinson’s disease
“Some studies have found that some patients who are considered to have fifty shoulders are actually Parkinson’s disease!” Dr. Dai Yicheng reminded that if the shoulders feel uncomfortable and painful, and the feet are not lifted high when walking, these may be the early stages of Parkinson’s disease symptom.
People over the age of 50 can perform a self-test with their fingers every month. The steps are very simple and can be done at home. Dr. Dai Yicheng said, please spread the five fingers of your right hand first, then press the thumb and index finger 25 times, and then switch to the thumb and index finger of the left hand and press 25 times. If you find that the opening and closing speeds and angles of the fingers on both sides are different, please see a neurologist as soon as possible, so as to detect Parkinson’s disease early!
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This picture and text are reproduced with authorization from “Care Online”, the source of the original text Shoulder pain and foot mopping may be warning signs!Prolonging the honeymoon period of Parkinson’s disease medication, neurologists illustrate lazy bags
2023-08-08 01:36:09
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