Exercise is one of the most powerful ‘medicines’ for Parkinson’s

In our country, an estimated 40,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease. It is one of the fastest growing neurological disorders today. Treatments for this complex disease are becoming increasingly effective. According to a recent study, the influence of exercise also appears to be really crucial to slow down the disease process.

“The fact that Parkinson’s is increasing, like other neurological disorders, has various causes,” says neurologist Dr. Femke Dijkstra (UZ Antwerp). According to recent estimates, the number of patients will triple by 2040. “Since the disease mainly strikes later in life, this expansion is of course related to the increasing aging of the population. Thanks to medical advances, it is now also possible to control the symptoms and complaints of Parkinson’s for longer and better. People therefore live longer with the disease,” says Dr. Femke Dijkstra. In addition, 15 % of patients are younger than 45 years, which indicates that other factors such as genetic factors, environmental factors and lifestyle are also at play.

Smoking and Pesticides

“There are currently several hypotheses about this, all of which still need further scientific testing. For example, a striking link has been established between smoking and Parkinson’s. While tobacco use has a downright negative influence on cancer and cardiovascular diseases, it seems to work differently in Parkinson’s. we find that Parkinson’s occurs less in people who smoke, although that certainly does not mean that there is also a causal relationship.Parkinson is a very complex disease in which the dopamine metabolism plays a major role.Dopamine is the substance that regulates the reward system in stimulates the brain. In people who are sensitive to (tobacco) addiction, this may have a protective effect against Parkinson’s.”

Another element linked by scientists to the rise in Parkinson’s is the use of pesticides in agriculture. Parkinson’s, for example, has already been recognized as an occupational disease in farmers in France. “Head trauma at a young age, for example due to an accident, may also play a role in the development of the condition. In other words, the range of factors that can have an influence is very wide. Because the disease is so complex and mysterious and each patient has a different If the course fluctuates, this factor will come to the fore more in one person, and other causes will play a greater role in another patient.”

Medication and brain stimulation

There are no medicines that can slow down or even stop the disease process permanently. “We do have therapies that can increasingly better tackle the complaints and hindrance of the disease, so that symptoms become milder. When the medication is properly adjusted, people can continue to function much longer with the disease.” certain cases are chosen for deep brain stimulation via a neurostimulator. That is similar to a pacemaker, but for the brain. This implant helps to better regulate movement control. A pump can also be placed in the intestine, which continuously releases dopamine.

Movement works

Exercise has long been known to have a very favorable effect on the course of the disease process. A recent study using MRI scans reaffirms this finding, showing that exercise promotes connection between brain regions and even reduces loss of brain volume. Being sufficiently active can stabilize the disease for a long time. They are also convinced of this at the Stop Parkinson organization. Ivo de Bisschop, chairman Stop Parkinson: “My own verdict came 5 years ago. Everything went so well. I had just decided to take it easy. I had more time and less stress. Still, I found the courage and strength no longer to train for my favorite sport, the marathon I no longer run today, but I realize and feel that exercise is necessary and does me good I walk, play golf and want to continue playing with my grandchildren as long as possible, they are my biggest motivation.”

The role of rhythm

However, movement is not always obvious, since Parkinson’s has such a major impact on this. Complaints such as shaking, slowed movement or sudden ‘freezing’ during an activity are very typical and make moving more difficult. “That is a big pitfall for people with Parkinson’s, especially in the initial period after the diagnosis. Because moving is a lot slower than before, people often become frustrated and demotivated, while they can still do a lot if they give themselves more time and less time. are strict with themselves. Their environment should not take too much off their hands, because they have become slower. When we manage to find a nice balance in this, we often see people able to cope well with the disease for a long time .”

It doesn’t really matter which movement or sport you perform. “Pretty a combination of both endurance and strength, but people especially choose an activity that makes them feel good. Otherwise you will not last long. Moving to rhythm such as with salsa or other dances is recommended. But you can also impose a rhythm or cadence on yourself. Our movements are the result of a refined interplay of different parts of the brain. In Parkinson’s, certain parts are disturbed. By moving rhythmically, those ‘defective’ parts can be bypassed, so that brain signals are passed on and complaints such as ‘freezing’ are less common.”

Here too it is important to find the right balance. “In the beginning, some people fight too much against their condition and start exercising excessively. This can lead to overload. The physiotherapist can always help to find the appropriate exercise schedule and there are also rehabilitation programs where people with Parkinson’s move in groups.”