Putting Parkinson’s in Park: Tips for Managing Parkinson’s Disease
April 21, 2026
Each year, thousands of people are told they have Parkinson’s disease. But what does that diagnosis really mean? Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and primarily affects movement. It becomes more common with age and typically progresses over time.
Parkinson’s occurs when neurons that produce a chemical messenger called dopamine break down or die. When dopamine levels decrease, it leads to irregular brain activity.
Symptoms often start with a small tremor in one hand or foot. Other symptoms include:
- Stiffness or rigid muscles
- Bradykinesia (slowed movement)
- Trouble with balance
- Poor posture
- Reduced facial expression
- Arms not swinging when walking
- Slurred or soft speech
- Trouble swallowing and chewing
- Trouble writing
Nonmotor symptoms include mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as changes in sense of smell and constipation.
People with Parkinson’s also have decreased norepinephrine, a chemical messenger in the brain that helps regulate important body functions. Other symptoms related to this are:
- Irregular blood pressure
- Sleep problems
- Increased urination
- Problems thinking
- Memory loss
- Fatigue
These symptoms can worsen or improve depending on your day-to-day activities. With lifestyle adjustments and proper medical care, you can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms and progression.
Lifestyle Factors that Affect Parkinson’s Risk
There are many noncontrollable risk factors for Parkinson’s, including age, sex and family history.
The risk increases significantly with age, and studies estimate that approximately one in ten people over the age of 45 may develop Parkinsonian symptoms during their lifetime. Men are also more likely than women to develop the disease.
Ongoing exposure to certain substances may also increase your risk, including:
- Herbicides and pesticides
- MPTP, a substance found in illegal drugs, sometimes sold as “synthetic heroin”
- Well water used for drinking (in some rural areas)
An inactive or sedentary lifestyle may also increase your risk. Incorporating regular aerobic exercise into your routine may help reduce this risk.
Managing Parkinson’s Disease
Regular exercise and healthy eating habits can play a powerful role in managing Parkinson’s disease. These lifestyle choices may help control symptoms, slow disease progression and improve overall quality of life. They can also help prevent secondary complications, such as constipation, poor posture and balance issues.
Establishing consistent daily routines is also very important. Taking medications at the same time each day can help maintain steady symptom control.
Exercise
Focus on movement that increases your heart rate, which strengthens both your cardiovascular health and physical ability. Challenging your body can improve balance, grip strength, coordination, walking ability and speed.
Regular exercise also benefits mental health and may support brain function in ways that are especially important in Parkinson’s disease.
Staying active is critical. A sedentary lifestyle can worsen mobility, making it harder to start exercising later. Even everyday activities like washing dishes, doing laundry, yard work or shopping can help keep you moving and maintain motor skills.
Brain Activity
Keeping your brain active is just as important as physical exercise. Mental stimulation can help preserve memory and cognitive function.
Activities may include:
- Crosswords
- Sudoku
- Strategy games
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Pattern matching
- Logic problems
- Riddles
These activities can help maintain memory, attention, problem-solving skills and mental sharpness.
Diet
The food you eat plays an important role in managing Parkinson’s disease. Aim to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and limit highly processed foods when possible.
Constipation is a common symptom due to the slowing of the digestive system. If left untreated, it can cause discomfort and impact your large intestine. A diet rich in fiber, along with adequate hydration and exercise, can help relieve constipation.
High fiber foods include:
- Legumes, like beans and lentils
- Broccoli, spinach and other vegetables
- Whole grains, including oatmeal
- Nuts
- Chia seeds and flaxseeds
- Fruits, including berries, pears and apples
Carbidopa-levodopa, a common medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, is absorbed in the small intestine. Constipation or infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may interfere with absorption. In some cases, eating high-protein meals close to taking your medication can also affect how well levodopa works. Talk with your physician about the best timing for your meals and medication.
Some Parkinson’s medications can also reduce the amount of water in your body, leading to confusion, balance issues, weakness and kidney problems. To prevent this, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Surgery and Advanced Therapies
Surgery may be considered when medications are no longer effective. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine if advanced treatment options are right for you.
The two most common surgical options are deep brain stimulation ([SC1] DBS) and MRI-guided focused ultrasound.[SC2]
DBS helps control movement symptoms by reducing tremors, stiffness, slowness, dyskinesia (involuntary movements) and fluctuations in symptom control. However, it does not typically improve walking, mood or energy-related symptoms.
In some cases, DBS may worsen balance, speech or swallowing issues. However, adjusting the device settings can often improve these side effects.
During the procedure, thin wires are placed in specific areas of the brain through a small opening made by your surgeon in the skull. These wires are connected to a small device implanted under the skin near the collarbone, which sends electrical signals to help regulate abnormal brain activity.
Technology continues to advance, and infusion devices are now available that work similarly to an insulin pump used in diabetes care. These devices deliver a levodopa-based medication continuously through a small, wearable pump helping improve absorption and significantly reduce “off” time.
“Off” time refers to periods when medication wears off and symptoms return or worsen. This often occurs in the early morning or between scheduled doses.
The pump can be programmed to provide a morning dose, continuous delivery or additional doses as needed.
TMH’s Movement Disorder Clinic
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is fully equipped to support you throughout your journey with Parkinson’s disease. Our Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders team offers comprehensive care with personalized treatment plans designed to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
We provide individualized treatment plans, complete with diet and exercise recommendations, physical therapy, support groups, educational resources, neuropsychological evaluations and more.
You can speak with our physicians about DBS or infusion devices and undergo a thorough evaluation process to determine your eligibility.
Schedule an appointment with TMH Physician Partners – Neurology to explore your treatment options.
