Health Tips from a Mother of Three

3 Tips For Preventing Weight Loss Related To Parkinson's Disease

If you suffer from a neurological issue like Parkinson's disease, one thing that you have to worry about is losing weight. Many people lose weight when they develop Parkinson's disease, but this can be a bad thing. These are a few tips that can help you prevent this from happening:

1. Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medication

Some people find that the medication that they take for their Parkinson's disease causes them to feel nauseous. This can make eating difficult and can even lead to vomiting after you eat, both of which can cause you to lose weight. If you have been experiencing this side effect from your medication, consider mentioning it to your neurologist at your next appointment. He or she may be able to prescribe you a different medication that might not make you feel this way or can give you tips for taking your medication without feeling as sick.

2. Choose Meals That are Easy to Eat

Another reason why people sometimes lose weight when they have Parkinson's disease is that they suffer from stiffness or shaking that physically make it difficult for them to eat. You can try combating this by choosing meals that are easy to eat. Foods that aren't too messy and that don't have to be cut up can be much easier for you to eat, even when you're suffering from these symptoms. When you're finding it challenging to eat, you might also find that having a meal replacement shake with a straw will help you get your nutrients without as much of a challenge. These shakes come in many different flavors, so you should be able to find one that you like. You can also ask your doctor about recommendations for good meal replacement shakes to try.

3. Choose Foods with an Attractive Texture and Color

Parkinson's disease can cause you to slowly lose your sense of taste and smell, which means that you might not find yourself feeling too excited about food these days. If you choose foods in an appealing texture and color scheme, you might find that they are more attractive. Then, you might find that you are more inclined to eat them than if you chose something that didn't look quite as appealing.

Dealing with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be challenging, but preventing things like weight loss are important. If you work with your neurologist and the rest of your health care team, you can strive for a healthy weight and help prevent yourself from losing excess weight.

Contact a neurological services and treatment center for more information and assistance.


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