Life can be extremely unpredictable and cruel, as realized by Murali (name changed), a 53-year-old, government worker from Bengaluru who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “Due to my high workload, I was often stressed and hence did not think too much about my sleeplessness and nightmares that were becoming more frequent,” says Murali. However, people close to him started noticing that Murali seemed stiffer than before. He was not swinging his arms as much and he seemed to be taking shorter steps while walking. After some time, he began to notice tremors in his hands. After an MRI scan, the doctor confirmed his worst fears and diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder where the dopamine-secreting nerve cells get progressively atrophied. According to Dr. Kiran B Nair, CEO, of Sreeragam Ayurveda, Kochi, Kerala the symptoms experienced by Murali are the most common indications of Parkinson’s disease.
Increasing age is the major factor in getting Parkinson’s disease. It is usually seen in people above 50, however, people as young as in their early 30s can also get affected. Other risk factors include the long-term consumption of sleeping pills and heredity.
At Sreeragam Ayurveda, Panchkarma treatments are followed along with muscle strengthening exercises to help relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The response to the treatment might be delayed if the patient has any other co-morbidities like diabetes, high cholesterol, or other health problems. “Generally, the treatment for Parkinson’s disease involves supplementing dopamine which gives only temporary relief from the symptoms. The herbs used for the Panchakarma treatment at Sreeragam Ayurveda, provide long-term relief by acting on the brain cells directly”, says Dr. Kiran.
Having Parkinson’s disease can completely disrupt one’s life as Murali and his family realized. “Though the extent of symptoms will vary from case to case, a person with Parkinson’s will find themselves unable to do a lot of day-to-day tasks which makes them very dependent on others”, says Dr. Kiran. For this reason, Dr. Kiran and his team at Sreeragam offer counseling sessions for the near and dear ones of the patient. With the help of Dr. Kiran and his team, Murali is now on track to getting his life back to almost normal. “I am glad to have found out about Sreeragam Ayurveda. My tremors have reduced to a great extent and I have been able to get back to my job”, says Murali.
Since there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, affected people have to learn to live with it which can be quite challenging. Along with the medications prescribed by the doctors at Sreeragam Ayurveda, regular exercise and physical activity are extremely important to keep the symptoms at bay.
Anyone can get Parkinson’s disease and it is important to keep an eye out for any symptoms. According to Dr. Kiran, it is important to consult a doctor if you notice symptoms like sleeplessness, vivid dreams, sluggishness, stiffness in arms or legs, disorientation after getting up from sleep, changes in posture, lowered voice, etc., “Even though completely curing Parkinson’s is still a distant dream, we at Sreeragam Ayurveda will do everything possible to help you lead a life as close to normal as possible,” promises Dr. Kiran.