092 Innovative Approach for Bladder Relief
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
The topic today is one of those difficult to discuss symptoms that most of us try to avoid and deal with it on our own. Not a great idea. So, let’s learn about and discuss our bladders. You might have an overactive one which is also referred to as hyperactive or underactive one also referred to as hypoactive. Unfortunately, the probably of anyone having bladder problems grows as we get older. However, people with Parkinson’s have an even higher incident. Listen on to learn why bladder problems occur in people with Parkinson’s and treatments available. I think you will find the treatment...
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091 The Dean Team - Exercise Part 3
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Welcome to the third episode in our three-episode series on exercise. During the process of researching for this episode, I have found more and more studies showing that exercise does help reduce symptoms of PD. Very exciting to be able to take control of your journey by including certain exercises in your day and week. My guest today, Dean Laws, did just that. After a period of denial and apathy, his buddies, or mates since Dean lives in Australia, urged him to take control and start running again. They went even further and formed The Dean Team to support Dean and the whole PD community. ...
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090 Exercise Cocktail Part 2
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Welcome to part two in our series on exercise and how it has been proven to reduce the symptoms of PD. As one of my guests, Dr. Daniel Corcos, explains, “It is crystal clear, exercise slows the progression of Parkinson’s.” In this episode, Kristine Meldrum and Dr. Corcos, authors of the book “Parkinson’s: How to Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise,” continue to discuss the research and real life experiences of the positive effects realized from a personalized exercise “cocktail”. What should PWP be focused on achieving with our exercise cocktail in order to maximize our time and...
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089 Exercise Cocktail Part 1
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
OK, I know what you are thinking. Another exercise episode, really? Yes, but this isn’t your run of the mill plead for people with Parkinson’s to exercise more. Up until now, we have been told to exercise but not given any direction on which exercises are best for us. Recently friends recommended a book that is filling this deficit. It is based on research completed over 30 years in this area. As one of my guests, Dr. Daniel Corcos, explains, “It is crystal clear, exercise slows the progression of Parkinson’s.” I found the book very useful. The author, Kristine Meldrum uses real...
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088 The Skinny on Skin
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Did you know that people with Parkinson’s disease have a higher risk of developing certain skin disorders than the rest of the population including melanomas? Have you had a skin issue pop up on you and not know what it is or how you got it? There is a good chance you were experiencing a manifestation of the Parkinson’s disease process or a side effect of the medication you are taking. Just one more thing to worry about. Right? On the other hand, our skin might provide a non-invasive way to help with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and maybe shorten the clinical trial process....
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087 Tips for Managing Stress
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
My guest from the last episode on Nutrition, Debbie Polisky, is back to talk about stress and stress management. Research has shown stress can reduce a person’s life expectancy. How many years are we losing is determined by other factors and lifestyle choices. However, I am pretty sure everyone experiences stress in their lives so this episode is important and relevant to all listeners. Specific to People with Parkinson’s, we have many stressors that come with living daily with PD. And, there are other kinds of stressors in our lives – family issues, work issues, the weather, driving at...
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086 Lifestyles and Nutrition
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
It’s our first episode of 2024. How many of you have already stopped working on your New Year’s resolutions? History would suggest most people fail early. Some of you probably are striving to eat better for your Parkinson’s health and for your overall health. Therefore, it is the perfect time to discuss nutrition and diet. My guest is a dietician who helps the Parkinson’s community understand and practice good nutrition. She breaks down what is good and bad for us and why. She teaches how to shop for the ingredients that are healthy and suggests ways to throw together a meal quickly....
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085 Resolution Follow Up
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
Well, I can’t believe we find ourselves at the end of 2023. Where did the time go? I hope you had a good year. It was a fantastic year for Parkinson’s research and for this podcast. We witnessed a breakthrough in the study of PD with the discovery of a biomarker and how to test for it. That is a game changer. And this is my 85th episode of the Parkinson’s Experience. I’m kind of an old pro at this (emphasis on old). Who knew? On this episode, I follow up on this year’s first episode where I interviewed People with Parkinson’s on their New Year’s resolutions. Do you...
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084 Speech Accessibility Project
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
This episode is about communication via your voice. Are you being heard? Speech issues is one of those symptoms People with Parkinson’s most likely will need to address as part of the journey with this disease. Does Siri or Alexa understand you? Is it frustrating to use these smart voice assistants? Well, my guests are working to change all of that. This episode is about how technology may be able to help us with communicating when our speech isn’t as understandable as it once was. A very smart team at the University of Illinois Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is...
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083 Community Camaraderie
The Parkinson's Experience podcast
When you or a loved one has a chronic condition, where do you go to find support, information and your “community”? People with Parkinson’s may not all have the combination of symptoms, but we are all better off when we seek out and find others like us who will be there for you and lift you up. I am grateful to have found a couple groups that have helped me along the way. I’ve formed friendships that go beyond the confines of my disease journey. As I have heard others say, I didn’t want Parkinson’s disease, but the Parkinson’s community is very special and caring. I...
info_outlineMost of us people with Parkinson’s know that exercise is essential to living well with PD. We may not realize how important it is to exercise our brain as well. Yet, it is just as vital to challenge our brain as we do our bodies. Improvisation is a fun way to check this box. Improv might not be what you think it is. It isn’t stand-up comedy, and it really isn’t scary. It is an unplanned collaborative response to others using games and play to illicit reactions. Anyone can do it and it seems to improve quality of life.
My guests, Robert Cochrane and Susan Scarlett, will fill you in on how improv can and has helped People with Parkinson’s (and others) become stronger, more capable, more positive, and more self-confident person. Listen on to learn from a PhD candidate studying the effects of improv on quality of life for People with Parkinson's and from one of his improv/PD students.
You can find out more about Robert and his improv classes at www.yesandexercise.com