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Gordonhoj
Angemeldet seit:
02.01.2023
Beiträge: 30
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My dad, who has Parkinson’s disease, has experienced some weight loss recently.
I have theories about that. I think it’s partly because of his Parkinson’s tremors, which not only increase his energy output, but also make it more difficult for him to eat (which could mean that he’s eating less than his body needs to sustain his weight).
Ways to cut weight loss
One tool I’ve been thinking about encouraging Dad to try is a tremor spoon, as some with Parkinson’s find this kind of weighted spoon easier to use. One spoon on the market helps to mitigate tremors with a mechanized component, and a 2013 study found it reduced the effect of its users’ tremors by as much as 70%. And while cost can be a pretty big deterrent, I’m curious about tools that we can use to help my dad.
In addition to looking at available tools, I think I also need to look for ways to pack higher-density foods and drinks into Dad’s diet. When I was an endurance athlete, we’d apply strategies like adding oil or butter to our food to increase the fat in our diet. Another easy option for some people is to drink calories, but I want to be careful about this choice for Dad since adding a bunch of sugar to his diet probably isn’t best. For myself, I’ve added protein powder to my drinks or grabbed coconut water from the grocery store to take in more calories.
The key for my dad, I think, is to balance his energy output with the appropriate nutrition (and maybe adding some tools that’ll help with the consumption process). I’ve also considered that maybe his appetite is shrinking. This shift isn’t entirely uncommon in later stages of Parkinson’s, but people can stimulate their appetite to offset the effects of their energy expenditure.
Dad isn’t currently too concerned about his small dip in weight, as he experienced larger weight loss because of ulcerative colitis. He maintains a positive outlook about this latest bump in the road. I trust him and his evaluation of the disease and his weight, but I’d still like to encourage him to use more of his available tools.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
Science seems to confirm this theory. Some of the most common causes for weight loss in Parkinson’s include dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, and dyskinesia, the uncontrolled movements that expend energy. Overall, though, people with Parkinson’s experience shifts in weight for a variety of complex reasons.
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