Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

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Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

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Senior couple exercising on fitness ball

Gait and balance dysfunction can cause serious injury or a loss of independence. In this episode of the Third Thursday webinar series, the Michael J Fox Foundation assesses the best way to manage these symptoms

As part of the Third Thursday webinar series, the Michael J Fox Foundation will be replaying a popular episode that focuses on managing gait and balance dysfunction. The podcast is free to listen to and will air on 21 September at 12:00 EST.

In this instalment, which was originally aired in November 2015, experienced video broadcaster and person with Parkinson’s Dave Iverson hosts a panel discussing balance issues and the most practical ways to protect yourself from falls.

Throughout the hour-long webinar, experts will be available to answer your questions via the live chat function.

It’s free to listen to the discussion – just register here up to 15 minutes before it starts. If you miss the broadcast, you can catch up via the recording in the library archive here.

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

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Researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden, have found that drinking more than 40 millilitres of milk per day may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. As part of the study, 81,889 participants between the ages of 45 and 83 who do not live with the condition completed a survey detailing their milk, soured milk and yoghurt consumption. After an average follow up of 14 years, a total of 1,251 participants reported a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The dietary patterns of the participants showed that individuals who drank 40 to 159 millilitres of milk per day were 30% more likely to develop the condition. The researchers – who presented their study at the 2019 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal – concluded: “Findings from this cohort study indicate that consumption of milk, but not soured milk and yogurt, is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.”

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Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

Resources & Tools

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Recipes & Nutrition

Naturally good food: the diets proven to boost the body against Parkinson’s

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Timo’s top 10 tips for travelling with Parkinson’s

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Parkinson’s puppets: award-winning animator wants to portray “more holistic view”

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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Keeping step with Parkinson’s: balance, posture and gait

Resources & Tools

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 20 September 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

Comments

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Recipes & Nutrition

Naturally good food: the diets proven to boost the body against Parkinson’s

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Parkinson’s puppets: award-winning animator wants to portray “more holistic view”

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Could insulin be used to treat Parkinson’s symptoms?

Can drinking milk increase the risk of Parkinson’s?

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