Parkinsons
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
In Parkinson’s disease, certain nerve cells (neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. Many of the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in your brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to impaired movement and other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.*
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may not swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time.
Although Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms.
While there is no magic diet or exercise program that will cure Parkinson’s disease, there are many ways you can improve your quality of life and manage symptoms with simple lifestyle changes; such as diet, exercise and sleep.**
*www.mayoclinic.org
**https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-lifestyle-changes-are-recommended-parkinsons-disease
Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.
A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.
There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may have only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), that doesn’t cause lasting symptoms.
Many factors can increase your stroke risk. Potentially treatable stroke risk factors include:
Lifestyle risk factors
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Being overweight or obese
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Physical inactivity
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Heavy or binge drinking
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Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine
Medical risk factors
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High blood pressure
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Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
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High cholesterol
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Diabetes
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Obstructive sleep apnea
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Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart defects, heart infection or abnormal heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation
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Personal or family history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack
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COVID-19 infection
Other factors associated with a higher risk of stroke include:
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Age — People age 55 or older have a higher risk of stroke than younger people.
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Race — African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than people of other races.
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Sex — Men have a higher risk of stroke than women. Women are usually older when they have strokes, and they’re more likely to die of strokes than men.
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Hormones — Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen increases risk.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, involves the wearing away of the cartilage cap that reduces friction in your joints. With rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane that protects and lubricates joints becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling. Joint erosion may follow.
People with Arthritus are more likely to have narrowed or blocked arteries in the brain – the result of systemic inflammation. This can cause problems with memory, thinking and reasoning.
The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involves the joints. Depending on the type of Arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include:
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Pain
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Stiffness
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Swelling
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Redness
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Decreased range of motion
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Morning stiffness
Treatments vary depending on the type of arthritis. The main goal of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
huru can help by allowing people with arthritis to connect with family without needing to handle a touch screen or keyboard. huru can help support you through tailored exercise videos, sharing the life administration burden, and setting reminders for medication so you get the right amount at the right time.
