Can You Drink Alcohol with Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease refers to a progressive type of disorder present in nervous system of patients. It affects physical movements and develops in a gradual manner. Sometimes, it begins with a few barely noticeable tremors in only one hand. However, while tremor constitutes a common sign associated with Parkinson’s disease, disorder commonly causes slow body movement or stiffness.

During the initial stages of the problem, you only deal with no or very little expression or your arms may not be able to swing properly while you walk. Alternatively, your speech may become slur or soft. However, symptoms of the disease become worse as the condition progresses with time.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Patients of Parkinson’s disease may deal with the following signs and symptoms-

Shaking or Tremor: Shaking or tremor usually starts in a particular limb, more often in any finger or one hand. You may even notice a forth and a back rubbing of your forefinger and thumb, known commonly as a pill-rolling type of tremor. parkinson’s disease problem’s major characteristic is tremor in one hand when it remains in rest or in relaxed condition.

Bradykinesia or Slow Movement: With time, Parkinson’s disease reduces the physical ability associated with your body movement and thereby, makes even simple tasks very much difficult and much time consuming. You may take relatively short steps while you walk or face difficulty in standing from your chair. Even you may drag the feet while trying to walk and thereby, causing difficulty in your body movements.

Muscular Rigidity: Muscular stiffness may take place in any specific part of the patient’s body. Stiff muscles may limit the exact motion range and cause pain.

Impaired Balance and Posture: Posture of Parkinson’s disease patients may sometimes become stoop or individuals may deal with balance problems because of the disease.

Loss in Automatic Movements: In case of Parkinson’s disease, you may deal with reduced ability in performing unconscious movements, such as swinging arms while you walk, smiling and blinking of your eyes.

Changes in Speech: Patients may have various speech problems because of Parkinson’s disease. Most of the times, individuals suffering from parkinson’s disease problem speak quickly, softly, slur way or may hesitate before talking with others. In fact, speech becomes more monotone type instead of usual inflections.

Changes in Writing: You may face difficulty in writing or the writing becomes small than before.

Can You Drink Alcohol with Parkinson's Disease?

Can You Drink Alcohol with Parkinson’s Disease?

No, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease should not drink alcohol. This is because; alcohol increases the side effects of levodopa medicine in the nervous system. These include drowsiness, dizziness and difficulty in concentration. A few people may even experience judgment and thinking impairment. Hence, you should strictly limit or avoid the usage of alcohol when you undergo with Levodopa medication treatment.

Patients often experience reduction in Levodopa effectiveness because of the presence of enteral/tube feedings or foods consisting of high-protein contents. This makes Parkinson’s disease symptoms worse. You should definitely consult with your nutritionist or doctor to know the best foods to intake while you take Levodopa medicine. Moreover, it is essential for you to consult with your doctor in case you experience changes in your physical condition.

Similar to the consumption of tea/coffee or cigarette/tobacco smoking, excessive intake of alcohol features a risk-taking personality associated with reduction in the risk related to Parkinson’s disease. In addition, consumption of various alcoholic beverages, especially beer elevate the plasma urate which is potent type of free-radical scavenger linked with reduced parkinson’s disease risk and reduced progression of Parkinson’s disease. Considering the paucity of already existing epidemiologic evidence, our team examined the total and specific types of alcoholic beverage consumption and related parkinson’s disease risks in cohort of old adults.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 25, 2018

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