How to Deal With Parkinson's Symptoms

Parkinson's Disease is a chronic condition that causes a wide variety of symptoms. They can range from stiffness, tremors and fatigue to difficulty walking or talking. Many of these symptoms can interfere with a person's life. Although Parkinson's cannot be cured, dealing with the symptoms can significantly improve a patient's quality of life.

Things You'll Need

• Consultation with a doctor Loose-fitting clothing

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify the symptoms that are causing you the most problems. Some Parkinson's Disease symptoms are merely annoying, while others can get in the way of your daily activities and overall functioning. Treatment should focus on the symptoms that are disrupting your life the most.

• 2

  Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the Parkinson's symptoms. He or she can give some suggestions and prescribe medication to control some of them. For example, amantadine may be prescribed to deal with tremors and fatigue. Levodopa can help ease stiffness.

• 3

  Let others know about your symptoms. For example, if you have difficulty speaking because of Parkinson's Disease, tell others at the beginning of a conversation. Ask them to be patient if you speak slowly or need to repeat yourself because your words aren't very clear.

• 4

  Adjust your walking to compensate for the Parkinson's symptoms. The Mayo Clinic suggests moving slowly and putting your heels down first as you take your steps. Keep rechecking and correcting your posture to make sure you stand as upright as possible to offset shuffling.

• 5

  Wear clothes that are easy to put on and fasten, so your tremors and stiffness don't impair your ability to dress. Sweat pants, elastic waistbands, and slip-on dresses are good options. The Mayo Clinic says you can use Velcro fasteners if your Parkinson's symptoms make it difficult to manage buttons.