1.Introduction:
Madhan’s journey with Parkinson’s and other health challenges highlights the struggle of managing chronic conditions with medication alone. By integrating natural therapies, gradual medication tapering, and lifestyle adjustments, he found relief from debilitating side effects and improved his quality of life. His story showcases the power of a personalized, holistic approach to long-term recovery.
2.Patient Information:
Name: Mr. Madhan
Gender: Male
Age: 68 years
He struggled with multiple health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, and digestive issues. Over the past year, he experienced worsening body stiffness, severe constipation, and a significant weight loss of 13 kg. These changes drastically impacted his daily life and well-being. To manage his Parkinson’s symptoms, Madhan was prescribed medications such as Syndopa Plus, Syndopa CR, Azilect, and Amantadine. While these medications helped control his Parkinson’s, they caused troubling side effects, including fatigue, constipation, nausea, dizziness, and dyskinesia. Faced with the debilitating side effects, Madhan turned to a more holistic approach, incorporating natural therapies alongside his medical treatment.
3.Medication History:
S.No | Present medication | Medication (After Treatment) | Mechanism of the drug |
1 | Telmisartan 40 + hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 (1-0-0) | 1-0-0 (hydrochlorothiazide tapered) | Blocks Angiotensin 2 |
2 | Tamsulosin and Dutasteride (1-0-0) | 1-0-0 | Alpha-blocker; relaxes bladder and prostate muscles |
3 | Tamsulosin and Tolterodine (1-0-0) | 1-0-0 | Relaxes bladder and prostate muscles |
4 | Levodopa and Carbidopa 100/25 (1-1-1-1) | 1-1-1 | Dopamine precursor, converted to dopamine in brain |
5 | Levodopa and Carbidopa (0-0-1) | 0-0-1 | Increases dopamine in the brain |
6 | Rasagiline 1mg(1-0-0) | 1-0-0 | MAO-B inhibitor; increases dopamine levels in brain |
7 | Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg (1-1-0) | 1-1-0 | Increases dopamine in the body |
Madhan’s medication regimen includes a combination of treatments to manage his health conditions effectively. He is prescribed Telmisartan 40 mg combined with Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg (1-0-0), which helps lower blood pressure by blocking Angiotensin II, promoting better cardiovascular health. He is also taking Tamsulosin and Dutasteride (1-0-0), an alpha-blocker that relaxes bladder and prostate muscles, improving urinary flow. Additionally, Tamsulosin and Tolterodine (1-0-0) further relaxes these muscles to enhance bladder control.
For Parkinson’s disease management, Madhan is on a regimen of Levodopa and Carbidopa 100/25 mg (1-1-1), which acts as a dopamine precursor, converting to dopamine in the brain to alleviate symptoms. He also takes Levodopa and Carbidopa (0-0-1) to increase dopamine levels. To support dopamine production, Rasagiline 1 mg (1-0-0) is included as a MAO-B inhibitor, further enhancing dopamine levels in the brain. Lastly, Amantadine Hydrochloride 100 mg (1-1-0) increases dopamine in the body, helping improve motor function and overall quality of life. Together, these medications address Madhan’s complex health needs, providing a comprehensive approach to his treatment.
4.Naturopathic and Lifestyle outcomes:
Nutritional Support: A high-fiber, antioxidant-rich diet and omega-3 supplements improved digestion, brain function, and energy levels.
Complementary Therapies: Massage, yoga, exercise, and pranayama reduced stiffness and enhanced mobility.
5. Results and Follow Ups:
S.No | Blood Biomarkers | Before Treatment | After Treatment |
1 | Ketones | 0.53 | 5.65 |
2 | Triglycerides | 209 | 130 |
3 | VLDL | 78 | 15 |
4 | Amylase | 126 | 55 |
5 | Lipase | 138.5 | 51.4 |
Madhan’s blood biomarkers show significant improvement after treatment, reflecting positive health changes. Ketones increased from 0.53 to 5.65, indicating enhanced brain energy metabolism, reduced oxidative stress, and improved motor control and cognitive clarity. Triglycerides decreased from 209 to 130, which supports better cardiovascular health and brain function. The levels of VLDL also dropped as 15, indicating enhanced cardiovascular health and improved blood flow to the brain, thereby supporting both motor and cognitive functions. Additionally, Amylase levels fell from 126 to 55, while Lipase levels decreased from 138.5 to 51.4, both suggesting improved pancreatic function and metabolism. These changes contribute to better motor control and reduced stiffness, highlighting the effectiveness of Madhan’s treatment plan in promoting overall well-being.
Grading Summary Based on MDS-UPDRS (Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale
S.No | MDS UPDRS Scores | Score Before Treatment | Score After Treatment | Comments |
1 | UPDRS Overall Score | 83 | 63 | Great Progression |
Non-Motor Functions: The patient showed remarkable improvement in Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms. The initial score of 19/24 dropped to 2, reflecting significant progress. Key improvements included:
- Apathy: Reduced from 2 to 1
- Light-headedness: Reduced from 2 to 1
- Constipation: Improved from 4 to 3
Motor Functions: Motor function scores improved dramatically from 7/12 to 2/12. Daily tasks such as eating, hobbies, and turning in bed saw significant improvements, reflecting better movement and quality of life.
Motor Examination: Initial motor examination scores of 6/8 reduced to 3, highlighting improvements in motor control, coordination, and overall physical well-being. Neck rigidity improved (from 4 to 2), and gait mobility improved (from 2 to 1).
Motor Complications: The patient’s motor complications improved significantly, with scores dropping from 9/16 to just 1/16. Time spent with dyskinesias decreased, the OFF state was completely resolved, and painful off-state dystonia improved, contributing to enhanced physical function and quality of life.
6.Discussion
Madhan’s case illustrates the benefits of integrating holistic therapies with conventional Parkinson’s treatment. Gradual medication tapering, yoga, probiotics, and detoxification significantly reduced side effects and improved motor and non-motor symptoms. Improved MDS-UPDRS scores and biomarkers highlight enhanced mobility, daily functioning, and overall health, showcasing the effectiveness of a combined treatment approach.
7.Conclusion:
Madhan’s journey underscores the profound impact of integrating conventional medical treatments with naturopathic and lifestyle interventions in managing chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease. While the prescribed medications helped manage his Parkinson’s symptoms, the debilitating side effects, such as fatigue, constipation, and dyskinesia, significantly hindered his quality of life. By incorporating gradual medication tapering, probiotics for digestive support, yoga and stretching exercises for body stiffness, and detoxification techniques, Madhan was able to reduce medication-related symptoms and enhance his overall well-being.
The remarkable improvements in his MDS-UPDRS scores, reflecting both motor and non-motor functions, as well as the positive changes in his blood biomarkers, further validate the success of this integrated approach. The reduction in rigidity, improvement in mobility, and better daily functioning were key indicators of how the combination of conventional treatment and holistic therapies led to a significant reduction in Parkinson’s symptoms, while also addressing other health concerns like hypertension and digestive issues.
Madhan’s case highlights the importance of a personalized treatment plan that not only focuses on symptom management but also prioritizes quality of life. This approach demonstrates that for chronic conditions, particularly those as complex as Parkinson’s disease, a multidisciplinary strategy can lead to long-term improvements and help patients regain a higher level of independence and comfort in their daily lives.