This February, our Fitness Fridays celebrate empowerment, inclusivity, and cultural pride in honor of Black History Month. Inspired by the values of PROJEKT BEAUTI: Bold, Empowered, Active, Uplifted, Tenacious, Inspired – these adaptive fitness sessions for people with Parkinson's highlight the transformative power of resilience through motion.
Rise with resilience in this functional fitness session focused on building strength and endurance. Engage in movements that activate both mind and body. With a blend of gentle strength exercises, endurance-building techniques, and powerful affirmations like “I am rising. I am active,” this class celebrates resilience and perseverance.
Instructor
Ivori Marie Campbell, OT, PROJEKT BEAUTI
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
In sessions with Dr. Rush, we explore different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, PhD
Health Psychologist
Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs
Center for Neurological Restoration
Cleveland Clinic
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Discover the power of mindful breathing to calm the mind, reduce stress, and enhance focus. A grounding practice to support day-to-day resilience.
Speaker
Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc - Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach, Founder of Rising Rose Yoga, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Discover the calming power of movement in this special Fitness Fridays session, "Flow into Wellness: Tai Chi for Parkinson’s." Designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s, this class combines gentle, flowing movements with mindfulness to improve balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. Join us to experience how this ancient practice can support your mind and body in harmony, all while fostering a sense of relaxation and control.
No experience necessary—just come ready to move, breathe, and flow!
Instructor
Hao (Howe) Liu, PT, PhD, MS, FGSA
Professor and Head of Physical Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions
Louisiana State University Health Science Center
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Deepen connections and practice extending loving-kindness to yourself and others. This session fosters emotional resilience and strengthens relationships in the face of Parkinson’s challenges.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Crista Ellis, E-RYT, B.Sc
Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Life Coach
Founder of Rising Rose Yoga
Senior Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
How to Manage Chronic Conditions Through Parkinson’s Stages
While no two people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience the same symptoms or rate of progression, there are several chronic conditions they are at greater risk of developing. However, the changes associated with chronic conditions tend to occur slowly and are often manageable. Awareness of these conditions can help you take steps to achieve the best long-term outcomes.
The following article is based on a Parkinson’s Foundation Expert Briefing about managing multiple chronic conditions in Parkinson’s, hosted by Christina Swan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurological sciences and fellowship director, Division of Movement Disorders, Rush University Medical Center, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence.
How Parkinson’s Progresses
Parkinson's is a progressive disease influenced by an increasing loss of dopamine, a brain chemical critical for body movement and more, and imbalances in other brain chemicals, including:
Acetylcholine, which can impact memory and thinking (cognition).
Norepinephrine and serotonin, related to daytime fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Low serotonin can also increase depression and anxiety (often successfully treatable in PD).
Early Stages of Parkinson’s
Slow movements, tremor and muscle stiffness (rigidity) are characteristic movement symptoms of Parkinson’s. Within the first five years of diagnosis, medications that replace dopamine, such as levodopa, are often divided into three daily doses to provide steady symptom control.
As symptoms and needs change, you and your care team can explore medication adjustments, lifestyle changes and other treatment options. While levodopa can improve many movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, it generally does not treat non-movement PD symptoms.
Constipation, due to nerve signaling changes in the gut, is common before and throughout the course of PD. It can cause stomach pain, bloating and nausea, and might slow the absorption of medicines. To ease constipation, exercise regularly, aim to drink between 48-64 ounces of water daily and eat a fiber- and plant-rich whole-food diet, along with prunes and bran flakes.
When diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor might recommend fiber supplements, stool softeners, laxatives or a prescription medication or refer you to a gastroenterologist — a specialist in digestion.
Mid-stage PD
After living with PD for some time, more frequent levodopa dosing or added medications may be needed. This can be referred to as stage 3 of Parkinson’s. A person with mid-stage PD might experience:
Dyskinesia: involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or trunk that develop in response to levodopa.
Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: low blood pressure related to PD, identified by a drop of more than 20 points when rising. Low blood pressure can lead to fatigue, dizziness, loss of consciousness and falls, and can impact short-term memory.
To address low blood pressure:
Drink a minimum of 32 ounces of fluid daily, which can increase pressure throughout the body.
Wear above-the-knee compression stockings to prevent blood from pooling in the legs.
Talk to your doctor about increasing dietary salt to help your body absorb more moisture. Your doctor might also recommend certain medications, such as fludrocortisone, which helps the body retain salt and water, or midodrine or droxidopa — these help boost blood pressure.
Advanced PD
After living with Parkinson’s for 10 years or more, people may experience more bothersome dyskinesias and levodopa may wear off more quickly, or sometimes not work at all.
Swallowing changes (dysphagia) in advanced PD can make it hard to ingest medications, cause coughing while eating or drinking, lead to weight loss, choking or raise the risk for aspiration pneumonia, a complication from food or liquid entering the airway or lungs.
To addressing swallowing issues:
Talk to your doctor about seeing a speech-language pathologist, a trained healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating and treating speech, swallowing and other challenges.
Your pathologist may recommend a dietician, a nutrition specialist who can help modify diet to ease swallowing and reduce weight loss.
Sucking on hard candy can stimulate swallowing and can help clear pooling saliva; botulinum toxin injections can reduce saliva production to match the slower swallow in PD; oral atropine drops can also decrease saliva but can cause confusion in the older population.
Falls and Balance Issues
Fall risks increase as Parkinson’s progresses. Falls can cause fractures and bleeding, particularly dangerous for someone taking a blood thinner, and are a major cause of hospitalization in PD.
Balance problems, shuffling or freezing of gait — the temporary inability to move — are common risk factors for falls. To manage freezing of gait, use:
A wide stance and take big steps. LSVT BIG Parkinson's-certified therapists are trained to help improve walking.
Visual aids, such as painter’s tape or a laser-cue can help a person visualize stepping over a line to maximize movement.
Medication side effects such as drowsiness and confusion, age-related double-vision (with distance) and PD-related double-vision can raise the risk of falling. Fall risks can be higher in the morning before Parkinson's medications kick in.
To minimize fall risks:
Share symptoms with your neurologist and monitor any issues with medication changes.
Stay active, exercise regularly and consider physical therapy, which helps people with PD keep moving.
See a physical or occupational therapist, who can also recommend mobility aids, such as a rollator, walker or cane.
Keep mobility aids near the bed for nighttime bathroom trips. A bedside commode can also decrease fall risks.
See your ophthalmologist or seek a neuro-ophthalmologist (a specialist with expertise in vision issues related to neurological diseases) regularly to screen for vison changes.
Declutter your home and remove unused furniture to reduce tripping hazards.
Chronic Medical Problems and PD
There are 90,000 people diagnosed with PD each year in the U.S. The average age of diagnosis is 60. This puts them at risk for other common age-related medical conditions, including:
Cardiovascular disease, which leads to more than 800,000 annual heart attacks in the U.S.
Arthritis, which impacts more than 1 in 4 American adults and can occur in large joints, such as the hips or knees, or the spine and can further increase pain, numbness and rigidity in someone with Parkinson’s.
Osteoporosis decreases bone density, which increases the risk for fractures with falls. Exercise, physical therapy and medication for low bone density can help.
Diabetes
Diagnosed in 1.2 million Americans, diabetes can lead to damage in organs, blood vessels and nerve endings — causing neuropathy (numbness) in the feet and elsewhere. Along with diabetic vision changes, neuropathy can increase issues with balance for people with PD.
Persistently high blood sugar can impact memory and thinking, as can Parkinson’s brain changes. Consider:
Regular foot exams to detect neuropathy, careful monitoring of blood sugar, periodic monitoring of kidney function and consistent exercise can help detect and manage diabetes in someone with PD.
Diabetes can damage the kidneys. Common medications used in Parkinson's, such as amantadine and gabapentin, are solely processed by the kidney. These may need to be adjusted or eliminated in someone who also has diabetes.
Avoiding Medication Interactions
Work with your healthcare team to coordinate care and share information across specialists to ensure everyone has a picture of your medical management — including prescribed medications and possible interactions.
Parkinson's medications generally have a low interaction risk. Of note:
Iron can decrease the absorption of levodopa.
Medication such as metoclopramide (to treat slow stomach emptying in diabetes) or prochlorperazine, can block dopamine receptors and worsen PD symptoms.
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors rasagiline and selegiline, used in PD care, can interact with medications used for cough and colds, such as Sudafed, dextromethorphan or phenylephrine, causing dangerously high blood pressure.
Some anti-depressants, such as mirtazapine, can also interact with rasagiline and selegiline to spike blood pressure.
Learn More
To discover more about managing health in Parkinson’s, explore these resources:
Cómo controlar las afecciones crónicas a través de las etapas del Parkinson
Aunque para cada persona con la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) los síntomas y el ritmo de progresión son distintos, tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar ciertas afecciones crónicas. Sin embargo, los cambios asociados a las enfermedades crónicas tienden a producirse lentamente y suelen ser manejables. El conocimiento de estas afecciones puede ayudarle a tomar medidas para lograr los mejores resultados a largo plazo.
El siguiente artículo se basa en una “Charla con expertos” de la Parkinson's Foundation acerca del manejo de múltiples condiciones crónicas en la EP, presentada por la doctora Christina Swan, profesora adjunta de ciencias neurológicas y directora de la especialidad, División de Trastornos del Movimiento, Rush University Medical Center, un Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson’s Foundation.
Cómo avanza el Parkinson
El Parkinson es una enfermedad progresiva influida por una pérdida creciente de dopamina (una sustancia química del cerebro, fundamental para el movimiento del cuerpo y más) y desequilibrios en otras sustancias químicas cerebrales, incluyendo:
La acetilcolina, que puede influir en la memoria y el pensamiento (cognición).
La norepinefrina y la serotonina, relacionadas con la fatiga diurna y los trastornos del sueño.
Un nivel bajo de serotonina también puede aumentar la depresión y la ansiedad (a menudo tratables con éxito en la EP).
Etapas iniciales del Parkinson
Los movimientos lentos, el temblor y la rigidez muscular son síntomas motores característicos del Parkinson. En los primeros cinco años del diagnóstico, los medicamentos que sustituyen a la dopamina, como la levodopa, suelen dividirse en tres dosis diarias para proporcionar un control constante de los síntomas.
A medida que cambian los síntomas y las necesidades, usted y su equipo de atención médica pueden explorar ajustes de la medicación, cambios en el estilo de vida y otras opciones de tratamiento. Aunque la levodopa puede mejorar muchos de los síntomas motores de la enfermedad de Parkinson, por lo general no trata síntomas no motores de la EP.
El estreñimiento, debido a cambios en las señales nerviosas del intestino, es frecuente antes y durante el curso de la EP. Puede causar dolor de estómago, hinchazón y náuseas y podría ralentizar la absorción de medicamentos. Para aliviar el estreñimiento, haga ejercicio con regularidad, intente beber entre 48 y 64 onzas de agua al día y siga una dieta integral rica en fibra y vegetales, junto con ciruelas pasa y hojuelas de salvado.
Cuando los cambios en la dieta y el estilo de vida no son suficientes, su médico puede recomendar suplementos de fibra, ablandadores de heces, laxantes o medicamentos con receta o mandarlo con un gastroenterólogo (especialista en digestión).
La EP intermedia
Después de vivir con la EP durante algún tiempo, es posible que se necesite una dosificación más frecuente de levodopa o agregar otros medicamentos. Esto puede denominarse etapa 3 del Parkinson. Una persona con la EP intermedia puede experimentar:
Discinesia: movimientos involuntarios, erráticos y de retorcimiento de la cara, los brazos, las piernas o el tronco en respuesta a la levodopa.
Hipotensión ortostática neurogénica: presión arterial baja relacionada con la EP, identificada por un descenso de más de 20 puntos al levantarse. La presión arterial baja puede provocar fatiga, mareos, pérdida de conciencia y caídas y puede afectar a la memoria a corto plazo.
Para tratar la presión arterial baja:
Beba un mínimo de 32 onzas de líquido al día, lo que puede aumentar la presión en todo el cuerpo.
Utilice medias de compresión por encima de la rodilla para evitar que la sangre se acumule en las piernas.
Hable con su médico acerca de aumentar la sal en la dieta para ayudar a su cuerpo a absorber más humedad. Su médico también podría recomendar ciertos medicamentos, como la fludrocortisona, que ayuda al organismo a retener sal y agua o la midodrina o la droxidopa, que ayudan a aumentar la presión arterial.
La EP avanzada
Después de vivir con Parkinson durante 10 años o más, las personas pueden experimentar discinesias más molestas y el efecto de la levodopa puede desaparecer más rápidamente o a veces no funcionar en absoluto.
Los cambios al tragar (disfagia) en la EP avanzada pueden hacer que sea difícil tomar medicamentos, causar tos al comer o beber, provocar pérdida de peso, asfixia o aumentar el riesgo de neumonía por aspiración, una complicación que resulta cuando entran alimentos o líquidos en las vías respiratorias o los pulmones.
Para atender los problemas de deglución:
Hable con su médico sobre la posibilidad de ver a un patólogo del habla y el lenguaje, un profesional de la salud especializado en evaluar y tratar problemas para hablar, tragar (deglución) y otros más.
Su patólogo del habla y el lenguaje puede recomendarle un dietista, un especialista en nutrición que puede ayudarle a modificar la dieta para que sea más fácil tragar y así reducir la pérdida de peso.
Chupar caramelos duros puede estimular la deglución y ayudar a eliminar la acumulación de saliva; las inyecciones de toxina botulínica pueden reducir la producción de saliva para adaptarse a la deglución más lenta de la EP; las gotas orales de atropina también pueden reducir la saliva, pero pueden causar confusión en la población de edad avanzada.
Caídas y problemas de equilibrio
El riesgo de caídas aumenta a medida que avanza el Parkinson. Las caídas pueden provocar fracturas y hemorragias (especialmente peligrosas para las personas que toman anticoagulantes) y son una causa importante de hospitalización en la EP.
Los problemas de equilibrio, arrastrar los pies o la congelación de la marcha (la incapacidad temporal para moverse) son habituales factores de riesgo de caídas. Para manejar la congelación de la marcha, utilice:
Una postura amplia y dé grandes pasos. Los terapeutas certificados en Parkinson de LSVT BIG están formados para ayudar a mejorar la marcha.
Las ayudas visuales, como la cinta adhesiva para pintar o un apuntador láser, pueden ayudar a la persona a visualizar el paso por encima de una línea para maximizar el movimiento.
Los efectos secundarios de la medicación, como somnolencia y confusión, visión doble relacionada con la edad (con la distancia) y visión doble relacionada con la EP, pueden aumentar el riesgo de caídas. El riesgo de caídas puede ser mayor por la mañana, antes de que haga efecto la medicación contra el Parkinson.
Para minimizar el riesgo de caídas:
Comparta los síntomas con su neurólogo y esté atento a cualquier problema con cambios en la medicación.
Manténgase activo, haga ejercicio con regularidad y considere la fisioterapia, que ayuda a las personas con la EP a mantenerse móviles.
Vea a un fisioterapeuta o terapeuta ocupacional, que también puede recomendar dispositivos de ayuda para la movilidad, como un Rollator, una andadera o un bastón.
Mantenga los dispositivos de ayuda para la movilidad cerca de la cama para ir al baño por la noche. Un cómodo junto a la cama también puede reducir el riesgo de caídas.
Acuda a su oftalmólogo o busque un neurooftalmólogo (especialista en problemas de visión relacionados con enfermedades neurológicas) con regularidad para detectar alteraciones visuales.
Organice su hogar y retire los muebles que no utilice para reducir el riesgo de tropiezos.
Problemas médicos crónicos y la EP
Cada año se diagnostica la EP a 90,000 personas en los EE.UU. La edad promedio del diagnóstico es de 60 años. Esto los pone en riesgo de tener otras afecciones médicas frecuentes relacionadas con la edad, como son:
Enfermedades cardiovasculares, que provocan más de 800,000 infartos anuales en los EE.UU.
Artritis, que afecta a más de 1 de cada 4 adultos en los EE.UU. y puede producirse en articulaciones grandes, como las caderas o las rodillas, o en la columna vertebral, y puede aumentar aún más el dolor, el entumecimiento y la rigidez en una persona con Parkinson.
Osteoporosis, que disminuye la densidad ósea, lo que aumenta el riesgo de fracturas con las caídas. El ejercicio, la fisioterapia y la medicación para la baja densidad ósea pueden ayudar.
Diabetes
Diagnosticada a 1.2 millones de personas en los EE.UU., la diabetes puede dañar órganos, vasos sanguíneos y terminaciones nerviosas, provocando neuropatía (entumecimiento) en los pies y otras partes del cuerpo. Junto con los cambios diabéticos en la visión, la neuropatía puede aumentar los problemas de equilibrio de las personas con la EP.
Un nivel continuamente elevado de azúcar en sangre puede afectar la memoria y el pensamiento, al igual que los cambios cerebrales del Parkinson. Tenga en cuenta que:
Los exámenes regulares de los pies para detectar neuropatías, un control cuidadoso del azúcar en sangre, el monitoreo periódico de la función renal y el ejercicio constante pueden ayudar a detectar y controlar la diabetes en una persona con la EP.
La diabetes puede dañar los riñones. Los medicamentos habituales utilizados en el Parkinson, como la amantadina y la gabapentina, son procesados únicamente por el riñón. Es posible que deban ajustarse o eliminarse en alguien que también tenga diabetes.
Evitar interacciones medicamentosas
Colabore con su equipo médico para coordinar la atención y compartir información entre especialistas para garantizar que todos tengan un cuadro de su tratamiento médico, incluyendo los medicamentos recetados y las posibles interacciones.
Por lo general, los medicamentos para el Parkinson tienen un bajo riesgo de interacción. A tener en cuenta:
El hierro puede disminuir la absorción de la levodopa.
Medicamentos como la metoclopramida (para tratar el vaciado lento del estómago en la diabetes) o la proclorperazina, pueden bloquear los receptores de dopamina y empeorar los síntomas de la EP.
La rasagilina y la selegilina, inhibidores de la monoaminooxidasa B (MAO-B), utilizados en el tratamiento de la EP, pueden interactuar con medicamentos para la tos y los resfriados, como Sudafed, dextrometorfano o fenilefrina, provocando una peligrosa hipertensión arterial.
Algunos antidepresivos, como la mirtazapina, también pueden interactuar con la rasagilina y la selegilina elevando la presión arterial.
Aprenda más
Para descubrir más acerca del manejo de la salud en la EP, explore estos recursos:
In sessions with Dr. Rush, we explore different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, PhD
Health Psychologist
Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs
Center for Neurological Restoration
Cleveland Clinic
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Approach the new year with a fresh perspective. This session explores the concept of “beginner’s mind,” encouraging curiosity, openness, and a sense of wonder.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Devon Hase, Author, Meditation Teacher
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends, and the community.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Join us for an interactive and uplifting music therapy session designed to support individuals with Parkinson’s—right from the comfort of home. Led by board-certified music therapists, this engaging program incorporates the AudAbility® Protocol, using the power of music to enhance vocal strength, breath control, movement, and emotional well-being.
What to Expect:
• Breathing & Vocal Warm-Ups – Strengthen speech clarity, volume, and breath support.
• Movement Exercises – Improve coordination, mobility, and overall physical engagement.
• Singing & Music-Making – Boost mood, memory, and social connection in a fun, supportive environment.
No prior musical experience is needed—just bring your voice, an open mind, and a willingness to live life out loud!
Speaker
Cassandra Richtsmeier
MT-BC, MusicWorx
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Due to the nature of our social engagement programs and to protect the privacy of participants, we will not be recording or archiving these programs. By not recording, it's our hope that the program provides a comfortable environment that encourages meaningful participation.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
