Parkinson's disease is a chronic condition that attacks the brain cells responsible for movement and coordination. Symptoms become progressively worse over an extended period of time. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, there is no cure as of April 2010, but there are a variety of options to treat the symptoms and slow progression of the disease. One of the more recent breakthroughs for Parkinson's disease is the use of the Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplement.
Symptoms
One of the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease is a small tremor that typically occurs in the hands, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the disease progresses, patients suffer from speech impairment, loss of voluntary and reflexive movements, muscle stiffness, poor posture and eventually dementia.
Treatment
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a variety of prescription medications available to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Different drugs are often prescribed at various stages throughout the disease. Many of the medications mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain since most symptoms of Parkinson's are caused by a lack of dopamine. Physical therapy and speech therapy may also be encouraged to help regain and control movement and speech patterns. Surgery may also be required in severe cases of the disease.
Natural Supplements
CoQ10 is an enzyme that occurs naturally in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, production of CoQ10 decreases with age, and people with Parkinson's have lower levels than normal. CoQ10 supplements appear to be the most proven and effective supplement in treating Parkinson's disease. According to CoQ10Supplement.com, a study published by the American Medical Association's "Archives of Neurology" found that CoQ10 slowed the progression of Parkinson's disease. It also allowed patients to better tackle everyday tasks such as eating and walking.
Dosage
CoQ10Supplement.com recommends consuming up to 1,200mg of the supplement daily. Always talk to a health care provider before beginning to take any new supplement. The provider can determine exactly how much to take on an individual basis. The supplements are available at most drug, health food and supplement stores.
Considerations
Like all chronic conditions, Parkinson's disease has devastating emotional effects for both patients and family members. There are several support groups available for Parkinson's disease. Talk to a health care provider about groups in a specific area, or use the National Parkinson Foundation's online resource locator (see Resources). Other activities that provide emotional relaxation include yoga, massage or listening to soft music.
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