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Natural home Remedies to Prevent and Treat Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s is a debilitating disease that can affect a patient’s lifestyle. Patients struggle to walk, eat, talk, and carry out everyday tasks that we often take for granted. This is a chronic degenerative disorder that affects the neurological system and can grow worse with time. Some people experience one set of systems while others experience something different. Parkinson’s disease is more prevalent in elderly people and men.

Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

If you have a family history of Parkinson’s disease, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on symptoms. Early signs manifest differently in different people so being aware of all the possible symptoms can help. Here’s are some signs to look out for:

    •Muscle and body rigidity
    •Trembling hands, legs, and body
    •Poor posture or postural instability
    •Bradykinesia, which is the slowness of movement
    •Pausing or freezing during walking
    •Digestive issues
    •Urinary problems, especially when it comes to controlling urination
    •Speaking and carrying out complex conversations
    •Trouble eating (the physical act of eating)
    •Depression
    •Fatigue
    •Poor sleeping pattern
    •Changes in tone and cadence of voice
    •Skin issues

These are just some of the many problems that indicate the onset of Parkinson’s disease. If you experience or see a loved one experience any of these issues, contact a professional neurologist immediately. They will provide advice and recommend effective ways to manage the symptoms.

What Are The Natural Remedies for Parkinson’s?

People often underestimate the influence and effectiveness of natural remedies or lifestyle changes on diseases such as Parkinson’s. Scientific research shows us that altering the diet and adding specific nutrients can help. Here’s a look at what you can do to improve the quality of life under the influence of this disease:

1. Types of Food

Many experts consider the digestive tract to be the body’s secondary brain. What we eat on a regular basis impacts our physical and mental health, which is why it’s a good idea to consider how diet influences Parkinson’s. Here’s a look at the type of food you should consume:

    •Raw Foods – Raw fruits and vegetables in the daily diet can affect a person’s overall health and fitness. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, phytonutrients, amino acids, etc. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and contain fiber that can aid with digestion.
    •Fiber-Rich Food – People with Parkinson’s experience digestive problems like constipation or inconsistent bowel movements. Fibrous foods can help with these issues and ensure the metabolism functions better.
    •Healthy Fats – People hear “fats” and run in the opposite direction, but healthy fats provide a number of health benefits. This includes mental and neurological health benefits. Avocado, coconut, sprouted nuts, seeds like flax and walnuts, wild-caught fish, etc., contain plenty of healthy fats and can help with Parkinson’s.
    •Omega 3 – Omega-3 fatty acids should be an essential part of your diet, whether you have Parkinson’s or not. This nutrient has anti-inflammatory properties and will elevate dopamine levels in the brain. The dopamine can help with depression and improve a patient’s mood. You can incorporate this into your diet by adding nuts and seeds.
    •Vegetable Juices – Patients who have difficulty eating fresh fruits and vegetables should consume vegetable juices. Make them at home from fresh vegetables instead of buying them in cans. Fresh juice will help with constipation and keep you hydrated as well.
    •Green Tea – Green tea has numerous health benefits. Nutrients like polyphenol antioxidants and theanine help fight free radicals while improving dopamine levels in the brain. Experts recommend consuming two to three cups of green tea per day for the best effect.

There are some food items and dishes that can aggravate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and make things difficult for patients. It’s a good idea to reduce or eliminate these ingredients entirely. They include excessive protein, processed food, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, alcohol, and items that trigger an allergic reaction in patients. Some Parkinson’s disease patients benefit from eliminating or reducing grains in their diet.

2. Exercise

Poor physical mobility, lack of balance, and other such symptoms of Parkinson’s disease discourage exercise. Patients find it difficult to get motivated and choose to limit their physical movement. Unfortunately, that can make the symptoms worse. At Silver State Neurology, we encourage patients to exercise regularly and recommend:

    •Gentle and easy stretches to prevent muscle soreness and stiffness.
    •Careful and cautious workouts involve activities like walking, swimming, or something similarly mild.
    •Exercises like yoga or Tai Chi that can help improve balance.

Gentle but regular activity can elevate the mood, keeps depression at bay, and ensures your muscles are active. That’s important for treating Parkinson’s disease at home.

3. Supplements

Our Las Vegas Neurologist will recommend a series of supplements to help improve a patient’s general well-being. Supplements will help ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs to handle Parkinson’s. Experts recommend supplements like:

    •Coenzyme Q10 is rich in antioxidants and will help slow down the progression of Parkinson’s.
    •Vitamin C helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.
    •Vitamin D improves bone health and can influence the entire body.
    •Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that has a positive impact on brain function.
    •Green Vegetable Powder usually contains a combination of chlorella, spirulina, or wheatgrass and is a powerful detoxification supplement. It also provides critical minerals to help with overall health.

Natural essential oils can also help with some symptoms of Parkinson’s like depression, sleep deprivation, inflammation, tremors, etc. Essential oils like helichrysum, frankincense, and vetiver oil are particularly effective.

While natural remedies and solutions can help, it’s still important to consult with a professional neurologist. They will provide proven solutions based on an in-depth diagnosis of the patient’s condition. Silver State Neurology can also provide advice on preventive lifestyle changes that can help stall Parkinson’s or delay its onset significantly. A combination of professional advice along with the above mentioned natural remedies can help people improve their overall quality of life.

6 Ways to Improve Brain Function

Brain development isn’t static and it doesn’t stop when people enter adulthood. You can sharpen your focus, improve your ability to retain information, and train the mind to perform better with some patience and planning. Just like training the body, improving brain function requires effort but it can be done. Most modern professions require intensive mental focus for long stretches of time. Excessive work in such conditions can tax the brain and diminish its function, leading to a burnout.

By improving brain function and focusing effectively, it is possible to maintain a healthy mental balance without experiencing too much fatigue. It is also possible to improve brain function over time so you can handle more loads and become more efficient. Here are some ways to improve overall brain function in everyday life:

1. Become Physically Active

Many people assume there’s no connection between physical activity and brain capacity, but that’s not true. Physically active people have better focus, are more productive, and less likely to experience chemical imbalances in the brain. You can take a 45 to 60-minute walk in outdoor spaces every day and you’ll experience a significant boost in brain function over time.

While walking in green outdoor locations and soaking up the sun will help brain function, an aerobic workout provides better benefits. Full-body aerobic exercises with controlled weight-training seem to have a much bigger impact on overall brain function. This serves a dual purpose as your body is fit too.

2. Manage Stress

The human brain isn’t designed to handle excessive amounts of stress on an everyday basis. It can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health. People who experience excessive stress or burnout find that their brain capacity has diminished as well. They can’t focus clearly, have difficulty retaining information, and lack creativity.

This is because excessive stress triggers the release of cortisol in the brain. That leads to loss of bone mass, muscle mass, and brain mass. One of the best ways to boost mental capacity is to manage stress well. Recognize your limits and set reasonable boundaries. Do things that break the routine and stimulate the mind, which leads to forming new connections.

3. Don’t Consume Brain Toxins

People consume a large number of things that are harmful to the brain and can compromise its function. If these harmful items are a part of your everyday routine, the brain will be damaged severely. It’s a good idea to eliminate tobacco of any kind from your life. Processed meats have nitrosamines, which can be toxic to the brain; fresh meat sourced from local butchers are always a better alternative. Excessive alcohol consumption will have an impact on the brain’s chemistry so it’s a good idea to restrict alcohol consumption.

Food with excessive amounts of mercury and pesticides can impair brain function; eliminate that from your regular diet as well. All of these actions will eventually add up to better brain function. Sometimes lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference in improving brain function.

4. Eat Brain Enhancing Food Items

Some food items and nutrients have a positive impact on the brain. Certain diets like the Mediterranean diet have proven to protect brain function and stall degeneration. Followers of this diet retained more brain volume than non-followers over the course of three years of the study. This study saw improved brain function and slower brain decline in older people.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, olive oils, and whole grains. People that follow this diet only consume moderate amounts of red meat, dairy, and fish, and some red wine to complement their food. It’s why this diet is so effective and similar diets have a positive impact on brain function. Studies indicate regular nut consumption strengthens brain waves. It promotes healing; improves cognitive ability, memory, and other vital brain functions.

5. Expand Cognitive Abilities Through Training

The brain can be trained to improve function, regardless of your age. Some people believe that humans lose their ability to improve brain function as they grow older, but studies have shown that’s not true. For example, studies show that adults develop the same amount of new connections as children do when they learn a new language.

Expanding brain function requires some dedication and time. You need to invest in learning and mastering new things, exploring new places, and interacting with new people. All of these actions stimulate the brain and improve function. Your mind develops new connections to handle these tasks. Once the connections are developed, they continue to improve brain function and productivity over the long term.

6. Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument is just as challenging as learning a new language, if not more so. In order to learn music, you need to train your ear, develop physical dexterity or lung capacity. When people take up a musical instrument, they learn many different skills simultaneously and that challenges the brain. Every new song or tune is different, so every time a novice musician expands their vocabulary, the mind is challenged.

Research suggests learning musical instruments can reduce or slow down age-related mental decline significantly. Musicians are also more focused, better able to multitask, and are more productive. Music helps improve your hearing and listening skills. It also helps increase structural connectivity between different areas of the brain that process sound and control movement. Music also helps heal the brain, which rewires itself to bypass injured or degenerated areas to perform the new task.

Even adding two or three of these tasks to your weekly routine can help develop brain function and improve your overall mental health.

If your brain is functioning at a diminished capacity, despite getting proper rest, exercise, and nutrition, it’s time to consult a professional at Silver State Neurology. An experienced neurologist in Las Vegas will carefully examine you to determine the root cause. Sometimes lack of focus and diminished brain function is because of neurological degeneration. This requires medical assistance and careful guidance.

Exercises That Are Good For Brain Health

The brain controls all functions of the body, which is why it’s vital to actively maintain its health. Most people exercise their body to remain physically fit, but it’s equally important to exercise the brain to keep mentally fit. Research has shown that a combination of mental and physical exercises benefits the brain over the long term.

Regular exercise can help relieve stress, restore chemical balance, improve focus, and have a positive impact on overall productivity. With the help of physical exercises, you can keep problems like memory loss and degeneration at bay.

Mental Brain Exercise

Our brain gets plenty of mental exercise during childhood. Kids are always learning new things, experimenting, and experiencing new sensations. As we grow old, the level of stimulus starts to slow down until we fall into a rut. Adults are often switching between work, rest, and personal responsibilities; most of these tasks rarely stimulate the brain. This has a negative impact on the most vital organ in our body.

Here are some mental exercises that can help:

    •Learn a New Language – This is one of the best ways to exercise the brain. Learning a new language stimulates the mind and prompts the brain to develop new connections.
    •Switch Hands – Something as simple as switching hands on a task can exercise the brain. Brush your teeth, write, operate the mouse, and eat with your non-dominant hand to get the best exercise.
    •Read Books Out Loud – Reading books out loud is far different from reading them silently. We usually skim through entire sections, don’t focus on every single word, and speed-read through the pages. While just reading provides ample stimulus, reading out loud forces the brain to focus. This process also stimulates the areas of the brain that are responsible for reading, hearing, and speaking.
    •Take A Different Route – Predicable patterns are the brain’s worst enemy. The daily commute to the workplace is one such predictable, repetitive activity, which is why it’s a good idea to consider changing routes as well as modes of transportation regularly for additional stimulation.
    •Up The Difficulty – Our minds have become lazy in this world of Information Technology. We autocorrect spellings, use calculators for basic math, or don’t take them to memorize phone numbers. Taking the more difficult route will stimulate the brain and make it more active.
    •Socialize with New People – Meeting new people and interacting with them regularly provides considerable stimulus to your brain. You subconsciously take note of the person’s voice, appearance, style of speech and interaction, new information about their life and their personality. Your mind processes all of this information at a rapid pace, which exercises your brain.
    •Meditation – It should come as no surprise that meditation is a great workout for the brain. This exercise helps improve your ability to focus, compartmentalize information, and helps reduce stress. According to research, human beings think over 70,000 thoughts every day. It’s not easy to quiet the mind and just sink into a meditative state. This challenge helps exercise the brain.

These are just some of the most effective mental exercises that you can incorporate into your daily life for better mental health. But mental exercises aren’t always enough, so it’s a good idea to incorporate some physical exercises into your routine.

Physical Exercises That Influence the Brain

Physical exercise triggers the reward center of the brain, which releases feel-good compounds like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine into the brain. It increases overall brain activity levels so it forms new connections to handle the load. Better blood and oxygen circulation also helps.

Here are some exercises that are particularly useful:

    •Aerobics – According to research conducted by Harvard University, 120 minutes of aerobic exercise every week can help with physical and mental health. It can reduce anxiety levels, help you feel calmer and happier, and calm the nervous system.
    •Yoga – Yoga is one of the best all-around exercises for both physical and mental development. It slows down cellular aging, restores balance, improves focus, and reduces stress. Yoga goes hand in hand with meditation so the combination of both in your daily routine can have a big impact on mental health. It’s is suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities.
    •Walking – This is one of the easiest exercises and people of all ages can incorporate it into their routine. Walking outdoors is the best way to provide ample stimulus to your brain, especially if you’re walking in a green park or through woods. This exercise improves communication between different areas of the brain, eventually improving your multitasking ability.
    •Running – Running is similar to walking and is ideal for individuals with high energy levels. Our professionals at Silver State Neurology recommend for people who have difficulty focusing on tasks and become restless easily. Just 15 minutes of running will expel excess energy and focus the mind so you’re more productive. It is an instant mood booster so if you feel cooped up inside four walls, this exercise is ideal.
    •Resistance Exercise – We suggest weight exercises at least twice every week to help improve focus and productivity. Weight training has a lot of long-term benefits because it requires careful attention. Switching between different weight training exercises will provide great mental stimulus.

Conclusion

Regular brain exercising isn’t an alternative treatment for neurological conditions. If you experience problems like fatigue, lack of concentration, lack of comprehension, etc., despite regular exercises, you should consult a Las Vegas neurologist. Professionals understand how the mind works and will dig deep to determine the true cause of issues and provide suitable solutions.

Learning a Foreign Language

Languages are fascinating. They are more than just a means of communication; they’re used to heal, bring joy, express ideas and showcase emotion. Languages have allowed humans to reach great heights, brought people together, and build cultures. There are around 6,500 spoken languages in the world and every single of them is unique. Some go beyond words and are very difficult to learn. For example, the Xhosa language incorporates click consonants. There are also hundreds of whistle languages that utilize whistle tones instead of words.

There are so many options out there and a lifetime to learn as many languages as you desire. While learning a language and developing proficiency is certainly pleasurable, there are several other reasons why you should consider it. One of the most important reasons to learn a new language or languages is the impact the process has on your brain.

Language and the Brain

We learn how to speak our native tongue at a very young age, while the human brain is still developing and forming connections. Every time a child learns a new word or understands meanings of sentences, a new connection forms in their brain. These connections are formed based on the language people learn. A new language requires some rewiring because you might need to learn new sounds, consonants, and ways to speak.

For example, research shows that native Japanese speakers can’t distinguish between “r” and “i” sounds because their “r” sound is different and “l” doesn’t exist in the language. When they hear “r” and “l” sounds, only one area of their brain lights up in MRI. When a native English speaker hears these sounds, two areas of the brain light up.

For a native Japanese speaker to distinguish between the sounds, they need to develop new connections in their brain, which increases the size of their brain. This is applicable to all new learning because every language has different elements. Each new language forces you to form fresh connections inside the brain, which increases the size of it. That, in turn, makes learning other things easier.

How Does Learning a New Language Benefit the Brain?

Better connections and a larger brain size have a big impact on everyday life. Many people notice an improvement in their productivity levels and their ability to retain information. Here’s a look at some of the best known and proven benefits of learning a foreign language:

•Decision Making – Decision making is a complex and stressful activity and most people don’t realize that. The brain calculates several odds, considers different scenarios, before making a decision. Research suggests bilingual and multilingual people are better equipped to understand subtleties and nuances. They have a multilayered thought process during decision making and will consider all data rationally. This leads to better decisions based on good reasoning. Monolingual people are more likely to react emotionally.

•Improved Memory – Bilingual and multilingual children perform better in tasks that involve working memory than monolingual children. People experience a marked improvement in their ability to store and process information in a short period of time.

•Better Attention Span – Those accustomed to speaking two or more languages make an automatic decision to focus on one or the other depending on the situation. This requires active focus and the ability to filter information at the same time. They’re used to this and have sharper focus or attention span than monolingual people.

•Multitasking – As people are able to switch focus on from language to another smoothly, they also have the ability to switch focus from one task to another. Bilinguals have better working memories, sharper focus, ability to filter distractions, and switch focus. All of these characteristics help with multitasking.

•Better Cognitive Ability – Studies conducted by the University of Edinburg suggests bilingual students have better reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general intelligence. They are better students and more likely to succeed.

•Delayed Onset of Degenerative Diseases – This is one of the biggest benefits of learning a foreign language. Studies show that bilingual individuals develop degenerative diseases like dementia more than five years later than monolingual people. They are also less likely to develop it in the first place.

There’s no need to stop at one. Neurologists in Las Vegas believe that adding multiple foreign languages will only improve brain development. This skill will also open up a different carrier path for you, which is always beneficial.

Is it Too Late?

Most people learn only one language while growing up, though it isn’t uncommon for children to learn two or even three languages in some communities. It’s easier to learn while the brain is still growing and developing but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to learn later. Many people learn new languages in their twenties, thirties, forties, or even fifties. It doesn’t matter when you start learning because the benefits remain the same. You’ll still develop new connections and the brain will still grow.

It’s never too late to start learning, but starting as early as possible means you have an easier time with it. Languages aren’t difficult to learn, especially if they’re similar to your native tongue. For example, a native English speaker will have an easier time learning Spanish than they would while learning Mandarin.

Adults learn quickly through immersion and communication. People living in different countries surrounded by a different language adapt quickly. If a native English speaker lives in Germany for a year and puts in some effort, they will learn Garman quickly. A native English speaker living in America and not immersed in the environment will have a more difficult time.

Language is an exercise for the brain so it is a preventive step you can take to stall a number of degenerative diseases and brain-related problems. That doesn’t mean it is a cure and can replace treatment from a qualified neurologist. If you or a loved one experience signs of mental disorders or degeneration, contact your Las Vegas neurologist for effective treatment and therapy.

Daytime Naps for The Brain

Work and everyday stresses can take their toll on your body and mind. Excessive strain can lead to burnout, mental health problems, physical health problems like blood pressure, etc. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle is very stressful with poor work-life balance. That’s one of the reasons why even big companies like Google encourage their employees to take daytime naps.

You don’t have to spend too much time napping because just 90 minutes is enough to reboot the brain and rejuvenate you. Many adults hesitate to indulge in naps because they believe it is for children. Some think daytime naps might have a negative impact on nighttime sleep, but that’s not the case.

You just need to make sure your nap length is relatively short. If you take a 3-4 hour siesta, the sleep cycle will be disrupted and that will affect the nighttime sleep cycle. Here are some reasons why daytime naps are important for your brain:

1. The Eight-Hour Sleep Cycle is a Recent Trend

Different cultures have different notions when it comes to sleep cycles. Countries with hot or temperate climates like India, Spain, Italy, Greece, etc., have a “napping” culture where people will take 2 to 3 hours to finish lunch and take a nap. They also have the habit of getting up early and sleeping at a relatively modest time.

This two-sleep schedule has worked well to keep their minds active and alert during rest of the day. Chinese employees are known to place their head on the desk for a short 1-hour nap before or after lunch. All of these factors boost productivity and prove that the 8-hour cycle doesn’t have to be the norm. Studies have shown that giving the brain a break can help a person feel much more focused and energetic.

2. Sleep Deprivation Hampers The Brain’s Ability to Focus

Sleep deprived people will perform at the same level of efficiency as someone who has had a restful sleep. This means if you give both individuals the same task, their performance will be equal. But maintaining that level of competence is difficult if you’re sleep deprived as your brain will have trouble refocusing.

Almost everyone loses their focus, especially if they have to perform repetitive tasks. A person who has slept well will lose attention for a short span of time before the brain reacts and increases focus. This is where a sleep-deprived brain falters because once you lose focus, there’s little to no reaction.

The brain simply fails to get back to the task, which is why a power nap can help. Even a 20-minute break with absolutely no disturbances can help rewire it and put you back on the right track. However, if you don’t have the ability to focus despite getting ample sleep, it is time to consult a Las Vegas Neurologist because the problem might lie elsewhere.

3. Prevents Burnouts

Our minds are constantly subjected to information and stimulation. This can cause a considerable amount of stress to the brain. Constantly calculating data, making logical leaps, providing creative input, and making decisions can overload the mind. This leads to a drop in productivity and performance.

There was a study conducted in Massachusetts involving students who weren’t sleep deprived. They were asked to stare at the screen filled with horizontal bars. Every once in a while, three diagonal bars would flash on the screen and students were asked to identify if they were stacked vertical or horizontal.

They underwent this frustrating task 1,250 times in a day. Results showed that students who took an hour’s nap performed better than those who didn’t. Similar tests indicated that the brain becomes overstimulated after three trials, which led to burnout. The only way to remove such stress and overstimulation is through a nap or full sleep.

4. The Effect of a Nap Lasts for a Long Time</h2

The effects of a good, restful nap can last for a long time and will see you through the rest of the day. For example, an hour’s nap will help a person stay alert until dinner time. 2 or 3-hour naps will cause drowsiness for at least an hour before the brain refocuses.

Once the brain has refocused, you will be alert for at least 5 to 6 hours easily. It’s a good idea to limit the nap to under 90 minutes for best results because you don’t want to slip into a deep sleep in the middle of the day. Deep sleep shouldn’t be interrupted as it can cause drowsiness and increase fatigue.

Naps have a positive impact on memory and can help you retain information better. A study proved this by providing test subjects with cards to memorize. After they had memorized the cards, they got a 40-minute break. One part of the group napped during this break while the other stayed awake. Unsurprisingly, the group that napped performed much better than the group that didn’t.

It indicates that napping helps your mind solidify and store memories efficiently. This happens because information is first stored in the hippocampus immediately after memorization. This memory can become lost because it can be easily overwritten by other data. Napping pushes this memory to the neocortex, which provides permanent storage. This ensures the information isn’t easily overwritten, and that preserves your memory for a long time.

Weak and fragile memory can sometimes be a sign of degenerative diseases. If you experience unexplained memory loss or have difficulty retaining information, contact a good neurologist to determine the root cause.

The left part of the brain, which is dominant in most individuals, is fairly silent and inactive during a nap. The right side of the brain is very active during this time and researchers speculate this is because it’s performing a cleanup. During this active period, the right side pushes memories deeper and sorts through pending tasks that are in the way. When you wake up, all lingering information is sorted and the brain is ready for more challenges.

As you can see, a nap can have a significant impact on the brain, mental health, and you’re your physical health. It’s why Silver State Neurology recommends that people of all ages take short naps during the course of their day.