Category Archives: falls

What Causes Falls?

balance problems, falls, Parkinsons Disease Information

Do you have problems with balance that result in falls occasionally? You may suspect the problem is a dopamine deficiency. I suggest an alternative cause – food poisoning which results in a plethora of bad bacteria in your gut.

The energy running through various meridians in our body is what keeps us alive. All of the meridians that connect to the head and brain are the digestive meridians – stomach, small and large intestine. Focus on getting your digestive system back on line and your balance problems should resolve.

Lightheadedness is a common symptom of food poisoning, that stems from the symptoms of nausea, fatigue and/or dehydration.People with food poisoning may also experience dizziness that presents as a symptom a day or two (or much sooner)  after becoming infected.

One such food poisoning is listeria. Symptoms may include fever, aches, stiff neck, headache, lost balance, mental confusion, and convulsions. Please note the symptoms of “lost balance.”

There is a natural remedy for food poisoning you have likely never heard about. I certainly knew nothing about until I had a serious bout with food poisoning recently.

It is called “Activated Charcoal”, a nonprescription supplement available in health food stores and supplement outlets. This is a natural treatment that has highly absorbent capabilities. For this reason, it is mostly used in various detox programs and  to get rid of harmful substances like food toxins.

Although it is a natural remedy there are side effects. These need to be investigated before you decide to take it. Also, be sure to check with your doctor before deciding to give it a trial run.

I personally wanted you to know about it because it helped reverse my dizziness and reclaim Rock Solid Walking after experiencing a scary assault of food poisoning. I took an activated charcoal capsule for 3 weeks or so afterward and now take one capsule when I eat out at a restaurant.

This may be a simple solution to a very troublesome symptom. Check it out!

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Rock Solid Walking

 

 

Update from Christian Hageseth

balance problems, Beliefs and Parkinson's, Exercise and Parkinson's, falls, improve balance, medications, Parkinsons Disease Information, yoga

Robert and I have recorded interviews three times in the past:

  1. September 2016: Five years no medications. Parkinson’s improving. How I had gone for 5 years without meds and was doing well using exercise and yoga
  2. January 2017: Wholistic (or holistic) how different PWPs approach their treatment.
  3. October 2018: Shifting the Parkinson’s disease mindset.
  • This is my fourth appearance on the show today, and I still hold to my beliefs.  
  1. EXERCISE. EXERCISE, EXERCISE. I cannot exercise as hard as I did before. Gradually I had to walk more and jog less. Could only 3 – 4 miles.
  2. More convinced than ever that MINDSET/ATTITUDE is the key, PARKINSON’S IS A CHALLENGE, NOT A CURSE.  When I was formally diagnosed, I was 70 years old. Life expectancy for me was 84.1. Well, now I’m 82.4. In a year and a half, I will have reached my life expectancy.
  3. YOGA remains critical.
  4. WAIT UNTIL you really must take Levodopa. Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) is a real deal and can be disabling. Google it on YouTube. 
  • Let’s look at my life since we last met, year by year.

2018 – I shot a video titled So High So Low for the “I HAD A DREAM PROJECT” where I hiked a three mile walk trail and climbed a thousand feet. 

Link: https://www.ihadadreamproject.com/i-had-a-dream-project-videos 

That year I also went to Uganda to demonstrate the practices I used to manage so long without meds. (Robert, this is quite a tale, plus I have pictures.)

  • 2019 – After directing the local Parkinson’s support group, I resigned so new blood could take over.

BUT: New symptoms emerged that I didn’t know about:

  1. Anomia: a language specific disturbance arising after brain damage whose main symptom is the inability of retrieving known words. But it’s not dementia!
  2. Pseudo Bulbar Affect Crying or laughing excessively upon feeling any deep feeling.
  3. Dysphagia: difficulty or discomfort in swallowing as a symptom of disease. It starts out with mucus as postnasal drip. Get to an OT!
  4. Oily, flakey skin
  5. Sleep disturbances. Fall into deep sleep in the middle of the day. And then don’t sleep well at night.
  6. Pain in bed at night. Interfered with sleep.
  • 2020 – It was a remarkable and horrific year. PANDEMIC!

No more yoga classes! No gym with weightlifting. Social interaction approached zero. 

  • 2021 – Then, a condition worse than Parkinson’s emerged: Major Depression.

March 2021 – Fell and shattered right knee – 16 days in hospital.

July 2021 – Fell and broke my right hip.

August – Severe depression, I became suicidal.

September – Chose to have a course of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)

October- It worked, and my PD improved a lot.

The falls were due to the antidepressant I was taking may increase fall for people with Parkinsons.

LESSON: Make sure you MD goes through all meds in case a med might make falling more likely

My story with Depression

Family history is strong.

Parkinson’s did not cause my suicidal depression, genetics and environment did.  Antidepressant medication failed to work and led to my falls!

2022 – I returned to my new normal. And that’s where I am today. I just have more symptoms and feel weaker.

I followed up with PWPs who I have advised in the past.

It became clear to me: I want to coach people with PD. 

I HAVE A LOT TO OFFER!

Teach PWPs how to become a “Bad Ass with PD.” 

No more withdrawal and depression.

My PD website: www.makemostofpd.com  

Robert, I want to come back with a program I have just developed to make being a person with PD and their caregiver have a better relationship. 

New website www.the-kindness-dialogue.com 

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com