The physician should let patients know about these invaluable educational resources. Daily exercise is one of the most beneficial things a patient can do for himself, can consist of stretching, walking, swimming or any activity the patient enjoys and will do regularly. More formal cardiovascular programs also are beneficial. Physicians should strongly encourage their patients to exercise. Patients with PD are at risk for nutritional disturbances for many reasons.
Good nutrition is therefore essential to their overall well-being.
Although no specific diet is required, patients should receive sufficient fiber and fluids to prevent constipation and enough calcium to avoid osteoporosis. Patients often will ask about the amount of protein needed in their diet, This is a concern only in individuals who are taking levodopa and experiencing erratic responses. If a neuroprotective therapy is definitely proven, then it should be started as soon as the diagnosis can he made. Once the degree of functional impairment is established, factors that affect a patient's ability to tolerate antiparkinsonian medication should be ascertained. One of the most important of these factors is whether the patient has cognitive impairment.