Natural Parkinson's Treatment in Seattle, WA

Over 90,000 adults in the U.S. who are 65 and older are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every year. Only 1 in 25 people under 50 are diagnosed. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than women. Age, gender and genes are the greatest risk factors. If you have a parent or sibling with Parkinson’s, you are twice as likely to be diagnosed yourself.

From tremors and impaired speech to hallucinations and delusions, Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that can severely impact your mental and physical health. Preventing Parkinson’s or slowing its progression are both possible with a Naturopathic approach. Comprehensive and multi-pronged, our Naturopathic approach to treating Parkinson’s Disease is both patient-centered and holistic, providing comprehensive, effective treatment plans designed specifically for each individual patient.

At Water’s Edge, we are focused on your healing, not just treating symptoms. To schedule your consultation today with a specialist in Parkinson’s Disease, contact us online or call us at (206) 966-4522!

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's Disease is a movement disorder that impacts the nervous system - specifically the network of nerve cells that controls movement. It develops slowly and worsens over time. People with Parkinson's Disease have lost cells in the part of their brain called the substantia nigra. These cells produce dopamine. Death or damage to these specific cells causes your levels of dopamine to drop. Without dopamine, the brain cannot communicate to the rest of your body to coordinate movement.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

People with Parkinson's Disease display symptoms like:

• Tremors
• Fatigue
• Stiff muscles
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Changes in blood pressure
• Problems with sleep
• Involuntary muscle movements
• A soft or low voice
• Decreased cognitive function or memory
• Impaired speech
• Loss of expression with facial muscles, referred to as a masked face
• Mental health problems like anxiety or depression
• Loss of smell
• Urinary incontinence
• Constipation
• Difficulty swallowing
• Slowed movement, with a distinctive shuffling walk
• Smaller handwriting
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Stooped or hunched over posture

What Causes Parkinson’s Disease

The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. In part, it is related to a loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, the part of the brain responsible for producing dopamine. Dopamine acts as a messenger between the parts of the brain and nervous system that coordinate movement. It is also connected to the loss of norepinephrine, which causes some of Parkinson’s other symptoms, like low blood pressure.

Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease

Aging is the predominant risk factor when it comes to Parkinson’s. Most people with Parkinson’s Disease begin to notice symptoms when they reach the age of 60. There are many other risk factors for Parkinson’s Disease, including:

• Gender – more common in men than women
• Family history - double the risk for people with a sibling or parent who had Parkinson’s
• Environmental factors – exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxins
• History of head injuries or blows to the head

Gut Health and Parkinson’s

Gut health has been implicated in the development of Parkinson's Disease, as well as its progression. The gut impacts the brain through the gut-brain axis. There is a clear gut-brain connection with Parkinson’s Disease.

People who develop Parkinson’s appear to have a qualitatively different gut microbiome than normal, healthy people - with a greater number of inflammatory bacteria and less healthy bacteria that can produce necessary short-chain fatty acids.

At Water's Edge, we consider your gut to be foundational to your health. In its earliest stages, Parkinson’s can include symptoms of gut dysfunction, like constipation, for example. Restoring the delicate balance necessary for healthy digestive function can be the first step toward slowing Parkinson’s progression.

Naturopathic Approach to Parkinson's Disease

Emerging research is linking Parkinson's Disease not just to disruptions in healthy gut function, but also to poor hormone regulation and neurotransmitter imbalance. At Water's Edge, we have designed all of our treatment modalities specifically to treat illness, balance what is imbalanced, ease your symptoms, and empower your body to heal itself.

Our practitioners begin by listening to your experience – learning about your symptoms and medical history. The response is a customized, expert plan designed just for you. Naturopathic physicians consider each individual’s physical, emotional and mental health, as well as that person’s environment and genetic makeup when investigating and crafting a plan to treat Parkinson’s Disease. After discussing all of the above factors, your medical history and the results of any testing conducted, your naturopath will craft a personalized plan to address Parkinson’s.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease

There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson's. A diagnosis is based on a neurological and physical examination, a review of your symptoms, and a medical history. It may not be immediately evident that you are suffering with Parkinson’s, since so many of the symptoms could be attributed to other conditions, but over time, the diagnosis will become clear. Diagnosis may call for the following:

• Laboratory testing
• Imaging tests like MRIs, PET scans or brain ultrasounds
• Genetic testing

Most people do not require a DAT scan, but sometimes a specific single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan, also called a dopamine transporter (DAT) scan, can help identify different types of tremor.

The Alpha-synuclein test can detect Parkinson's before symptoms appear. Alpha-synuclein clumps are found in Lewy bodies and are a hallmark sign of Parkinson's. Testing can be done in spinal fluid or skin.

Also, sometimes a short course of drugs used to treat Parkinson’s can be used. If your symptoms improve, that is another way to confirm Parkinson’s Disease.

All of these options will be discussed with you as we develop a course for diagnosis and treatment.

What are Common Naturopathic Treatment Recommendations?

Whether a person has been living with Parkinson's for a long time or they were just recently diagnosed, there are many ways that Naturopathic Medicine can support treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. Conventional medicine offers no cure for Parkinson's, instead utilizing medications to help control the symptoms. When medicine stops working, some people may try surgery.

At Water's Edge, we can take a different approach. Our initial focus on digestive health can help resolve many symptoms and lays a foundation to support hormone and neurotransmitter function. We may recommend speech therapy to help with chewing and swallowing problems. Digestive tract healing and restoration can restore normal function. Interventions can range from a specialized diet to simply starting with more fermented foods to balance your microbiome.

When we heal the gut microbiome, we find that many symptoms resolve naturally. This multi-pronged approach to care has significantly improved the quality of life in many of our patients living with Parkinson's Disease, and it allows us to move forward with less medication and less invasive approaches.

Herbal medicine and Homeopathy are other tools we can use. We may also recommend massage, acupuncture, medically supervised weight loss or weight gain as needed, or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We may recommend physical therapy that focuses on balancing and stretching, or yoga for gentle movement. It will be specific to you, your body and your life.

Our Naturopathic approach to strengthening your immune system and overall health also recommends that you:

• Reduce stress in your life and consider meditation or relaxation techniques
• Consume alcohol in moderation or not at all
• Incorporate healthy movement at least three times a week
• Remain at a healthy weight
• Develop a sleep routine to facilitate quality sleep

Aerobic exercise, for example has been linked to a lower risk of Parkinson's disease. However, we understand that some people may be suffering from conditions that interfere with exercise or other factors.

Certain medications, like ibuprofen or statins, have been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s, but they may be contraindicated for you.

We take all of these issues into account and recognize challenges, while finding alternatives and options that work specifically for you. A Naturopathic physician considers your health issues in the context of health barriers that are specific to you and the realities of your everyday life.

Request Your Appointment Today!

For years, our skillful, experienced Naturopaths practicing at Water’s Edge Natural Medicine Clinic in Seattle, WA, have been helping men and women achieve wellness and wholeness in every area of their lives, including Parkinson’s Disease

If you are interested in seeing how a Naturopathic doctor can address Parkinson’s Disease, we invite you to reach out to us. We’re here for you and happy to answer any questions you may have about your symptoms and our unique approach to whole-body healing.

Collect your list of symptoms and questions, and call Water’s Edge Natural Medicine in Seattle, WA at (206) 966-4522 or contact us online.

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