Managing Parkinson's disease can be complicated, but it's nothing you can't handle. Help take control of your health and your future by creating - and sticking to - your own personal game plan for managing Parkinson's disease.

Explore the sections on this page to start building your game plan:

Goals
Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep
Support

Goals

Every successful game plan has at least one goal. Think about the things you value most in your daily life, and set personal goals that will allow you to keep enjoying those things.

Your goals might include:

• Reducing your Parkinson's disease symptoms.
• Minimizing problematic side effects.
• Maintaining your activities of daily living.
• Ensuring your emotional well-being.
• Continuing your work or hobbies.
• Maintaining relationships with family and friends.
• Maximizing your independence.
• Finding the right therapy

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Exercise

If you are not exercising regularly, start today. However, always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Exercise can help make living with Parkinson's disease easier by:

• Helping you feel more in control of your movements.
• Reducing gait problems and muscle/joint injuries.
• Improving flexibility.
• Increasing muscle strength and balance.
• Increasing energy, stamina, and cardiovascular health.

Your exercise program should be tailored to your personal abilities and any other health concerns, such as high blood pressure or arthritis.

You might try these great exercises for people with Parkinson's disease:

• Stretching, which will increase your range of motion and relieve muscle tension.
• Tai chi, which may improve your balance and provide mind and body relaxation.
• Yoga, which uses stretching and breathing techniques to promote wellness.

You can also look for exercise programs that were created with Parkinson's disease symptoms in mind. View exercises from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

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Nutrition

Good nutrition is one of the most important parts of a successful Parkinson's disease game plan. In fact, four common reasons for hospitalization among people living with Parkinson's disease (bone fracture, dehydration, bowel impaction, and weight loss) can be lessened by proper nutrition.

Make these nutrition habits part of your game plan:

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, even if you aren't thirsty.
• Eat natural laxatives - prunes, vegetables, and foods high in fiber - to prevent or relieve constipation.
• Eat something cold and sour - such as sherbet - before a meal to help prevent dry mouth.
• Talk to your doctor about any food-specific issues related to your medications. For example, meals high in protein may interfere with the absorption of levodopa. So if you use levodopa, you may need to adjust the amount of protein in your diet.
• When taking AZILECT^®, you should avoid foods and beverages high in a substance called tyramine to prevent a possibly dangerous rise in blood pressure. See our FAQ section for more information.

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Sleep

A good night's sleep keeps your body and mind functioning properly, but Parkinson's disease can include symptoms that interfere with your sleep - such as vivid dreams, sleeplessness, or restless legs.

Try these tips to help you catch your zzzzz's:

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and other stimulants -- especially in the evenings.
• Minimize fluid intake in the hours before bedtime.
• Establish a regular routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
• Avoid oversleeping.
• Create a comfortable, peaceful environment in your bedroom.
• Avoid watching TV, reading, or eating in bed.
• Exercise regularly.

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Support

Living with Parkinson's disease can bring about a wide range of emotions, beginning with the shock of diagnosis, and later lead to depression, confusion about what Parkinson's disease will mean for you, anger, frustration with physical challenges, and so much more.

You don't have to deal with these emotional challenges alone. Build a support system to find outlets for expressing your feelings:

• Maintain open and honest communication with your family, friends, and health care providers.
• Consider seeking out others living with Parkinson's disease to share common experiences and feelings. A Parkinson's disease advocacy organization can refer you to a group in your area.
• Find local social workers and faith-based counselors who can provide helpful resources in dealing with the emotional ups and downs of Parkinson's disease.
• Write about your feelings in a journal or diary.

Remember that tending to your emotional health is as important as tending to your physical health.

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