PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nerve cells and nervous system that usually strikes individuals over the age of 50, though some younger people develop it too. When you have Parkinson’s disease, your brain cells don’t produce sufficient amounts of a chemical called dopamine, which is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter.
Parkinson’s disease affects the way you move and can inhibit normal bodily functions, causing symptoms such as:
Hand tremors
Slowed movements
Tense, rigid muscles
Trouble speaking and writing
Balance and posture problems
Trouble with automatic movements
Dizziness when standing
Inability to distinguish smells
Fatigue, particularly late in the day
You may eventually have trouble controlling your bladder and bowels, develop insomnia, and have difficulty chewing and eating. The challenges of dealing with this disease often cause depression, but the disease itself may cause cognitive issues, such as dementia, hallucinations, and mood disorders.
While Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, maintaining one's quality of life, and slowing the disease’s progression. Treatment options include increasing aerobic exercise––which slows the disease and improves balance and coordination. Most medications focus on helping your brain produce more dopamine. Your doctor may recommend a combination of:
Carbidopa-levodopa
Carbidopa-levodopa infusion
Dopamine agonists
MAO B inhibitors
Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors
Anticholinergics
Amantadine
All of the medications for Parkinson’s disease have side effects, potentially including hallucinations and behavioral changes. Your doctor may recommend a surgery called deep brain stimulation if you have advanced Parkinson’s disease tunresponsive to levodopa.
The two most common cannabinoids in marijuana—cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—help control a variety of Parkinson’s symptoms. If you’re in the early stages of the disease, medical cannabis may even be sufficient to help you manage your symptoms and maintain your quality of life. The cannabinoids also have anti-inflammatory actions that may protect your brain cells.
If you are in the more advanced stages of the disease, you can add medical cannabis to your regimen to complement your treatment. Medical cannabis can help to:
Minimize tremors
Reduce involuntary movements
Improve quality of life
Improve slowness
Reduce anxiety
Improve sleep
Decrease hallucinations
To control Parkinson’s disease symptoms with medical cannabis, contact Coastal Wellness Centers today.