Key takeaways
- Stress, mood changes, and emotions such as anxiety and depression can worsen motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Medications, especially levodopa, can cause complications and fluctuating responses. You may need dosage adjustments or additional treatments. Certain other medications can also aggravate Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Imbalances in gut bacteria and certain foods, such as processed foods and red meats, may affect the central nervous system and worsen Parkinson’s progression, while Mediterranean-type diets may help.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease. There’s no cure, and in the years after diagnosis, many people with this condition may notice their symptoms fluctuate or worsen.
If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are various factors that may worsen your symptoms. Common triggers include the following.
Chronic stress
Research has identified chronic stress as one of the possible initial triggers for the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
In one
- tremors
- movement problems
- sleep disturbances
- depression
- balance and gait
- dyskinesias like muscle weakness or twitching
- memory problems
- speech and communication difficulties
The study authors noted that tremors seemed to be the symptom most affected by stress.
Discuss with your healthcare team
While a gradual worsening with age is expected with Parkinson’s disease, sudden changes in symptoms or an overall worsening of your health are a cause for concern. Discuss any sudden or extreme worsening of your symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Emotions
Stress, emotional turmoil, and other mood changes can have an effect on symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. Anxiety and depression are common emotional symptoms that often develop in those with the condition.
Medications
Levodopa, one of the most commonly prescribed medications for Parkinson’s disease, may cause significant complications.
One report suggested that almost everyone who takes this medication will experience fluctuating responses to their treatment at some point. The problem is especially pronounced in people who take higher doses of levodopa.
Severe symptoms can appear on these higher doses, including:
- severe tremors
- increased movement problems
- pain
- profuse sweating
- increases in heart rate
- abdominal discomfort
- depression
- anxiety
The solution is usually to adjust dosages to provide you with a more consistent level of the medication throughout the day or to add on additional adjunctive treatments.
However, the study also notes that the stage and severity of your Parkinson’s disease, as well as your age and cognitive health, can limit the use of other therapies in treating the condition.
Caution: Medications to watch if you have Parkinson’s disease
Beyond levodopa, a number of medications are associated with an aggravation of Parkinson’s symptoms. Examples of medications that fall into this category include:
- valproic acid (Depakote)
- prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- metoclopramide (Reglan)
- promethazine (Phenergan)
- antipsychotic drugs
Let your healthcare professional know if you’re taking or are prescribed one of these medications.
Foods
Recent research has suggested that the balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system may have the biggest effect on symptoms.
Your belly and your brain are connected, and some byproducts of your metabolism can have a negative effect on your central nervous system. Specifically, the study pointed to chemicals such as short-chain fatty acids and toxic metabolites.
Additional research points to certain foods in particular as being linked to poor gut health and a more rapid progression of Parkinson’s disease:
- foods high in saturated animal fats
- alcohol
- sodas
- fried foods
- beef
- ice cream
- cheese
Research suggests that the Mediterranean-type diet appears to produce the best results for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Health changes
Changes in your overall health can also affect Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Some of the following health concerns can be linked to an increase in symptoms or worsening of the disease:
- infections
- surgery
- medication changes
- other diseases or conditions (comorbidities)
Parkinson’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disease that usually requires a variety of medications, treatments, and therapies, such as:
Medication
Levodopa is the gold-standard medication in Parkinson’s treatment, helping the brain produce more dopamine, a chemical that helps signals move through the brain.
Other
- dopamine agonists
- enzyme inhibitors
- amantadine (Symmetrel)
- anticholinergics like benztropine (Cogentin)
Other treatments
Other treatments include things like deep brain stimulation and surgically implanted pumps to deliver consistent and precise levels of medication. This medication combines levodopa with carbidopa and helps your body better use levodopa.
Home remedies
Maintaining your safety at home is important for managing Parkinson’s disease, including steps like:
- clearing clutter, rugs, and cords that could cause falls
- raising your bed height
- adding a side rail or handles to your bed
- moving items you use often so they’re easily accessible
- using a urinal or bedside commode at night
- installing an elevated toilet seat
Enlist the help of family members, friends, or outside caregivers to help you with your daily activities as your disease progresses.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. As a neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson’s worsens over time. However, there are a variety of treatments and medications that may be able to help reduce your symptoms or slow the progression of your disease.
Yes. “Off-periods” can happen when dopamine levels become too low, and Parkinson’s disease symptoms increase as a result.
Off-periods commonly occur in people with Parkinson’s, even while taking medications like levodopa. A doctor can help you manage symptoms during off-periods.
An increase in movement problems, also known as morning akinesia, is common in people with Parkinson’s disease. In fact, this is sometimes the first sign of Parkinson’s and results from the effects of a typical decline in dopamine while you sleep.
Exercise has been linked to improved symptoms, increased balance, reduced falls, and even slow disease progression in people with Parkinson’s. Talk with your doctor or physical therapist about the best exercise strategies for your particular stage of the condition.
Parkinson’s disease has no cure and progressively gets worse over time for most people with the disease.
Talk with a doctor if you notice a change in your symptoms. Although worsening symptoms could indicate the progression of your disease, there are also other things that can cause temporary or fluctuating increases in your symptoms.