Estimated duration: 2-3 minutes
PARK CITY — Parkinson’s disease is affecting more and more people across the country. There is no cure, but there is one thing you can expect to do to improve your symptoms.
In Parkinson’s disease, the brain cells that make dopamine stop working or die. Dopamine is the chemical that regulates movement. Loss of dopamine cells can cause tremors, stiffness, and even loss of balance.
Dr. Kathleen McKee, a neurologist at Intermountain Health, said there are currently no drugs or surgeries that can slow the disease, but exercise appears to help.
“There is growing evidence that exercise does improve motor symptoms and possibly slows disease progression,” she said.
Fast pedaling movements made a big difference for Lamont Dorrity.
“I love it, I really do, it’s helped me a lot,” Dority said.
He has Parkinson’s disease, which affects the way he moves.
“I have something called swagger. When I walk, I make swagger movements,” he said.
He exercises several times a day by swimming and pedaling a bicycle.
“We know that if you don’t exercise, your symptoms get significantly worse,” says Dorrity.
Intermountain Health offers pedaling classes to reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Nick Francis, an exercise physiologist at Intermountain Health in Park City, says that pedaling at a cadence of 80 for 40 minutes improves symptoms, with relief after a few hours.
“They notice less tremor, better balance, more strength and mobility, and all the other things that come with exercise,” he said.
a 2022 Parkinson Foundation Study revealed that nearly 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year. This is a 50% increase from previous estimates.
Mckee said Parkinson’s disease can be linked to genetic or environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides.
“There are many patients who suddenly develop Parkinson’s disease, but we can’t limit it to just one.
Dorrity plans to continue fighting the disease through exercise.
“I want to stay ahead of this disease and I am working hard for it,” he said.
Park City Hospital offers biking classes twice a week. For more information, click here.
McKee is doing more research into how exercise and aerobic exercise can help treat Parkinson’s disease.
She said she is looking for someone with very early Parkinson’s disease. If you are interested in participating in the study, you can find more information here.
