PD Quick Tip - Facial Masking

Facial masking is when you have a blank expression, you aren't able to convey emotions with facial expression. Masking is common with Parkinson's. Medication helped a ton but I still feel my expression shows anger or sadness when I'm calm and happy. Exercise is important, and the facial muscles are no exception. It's very important to exersize your facial muscles. Try exaggerated gestures and say the vowels. AAAAAAAA EEEEEEE I OOOOOOO UUUUUUUUUUUU. And sometimes "Y". Remember to smile BIG!

😀

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PD Quick Tip - Falling?

Am I a klutz or is it a PD fall? 

I've fallen down a few times while out walking, five times to be exact. Three of the 5 times happened when I tripped over sidewalk hazards in New York City. Fortunately only one of these falls resulted in broken eyeglasses, multiple cuts and scrapes. I did better on the other falls--just a few scrapes and my pride was bruised.

In two of the incidents the sidewalk hazards were similar. Light poles, either previously stood or were being installed. Regardless, there were bolts set in the concrete sidewalk and sticking up a few inches. If I were the type to run to a lawyer, I'm sure a judge would agree and find the city or property owner at fault.

My PD Quick Tip sounds obvious but there is a lot going on and this is worth repeating: Make sure you watch where you're walking, you might just avoid an unnecessary fall.

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PD Quick Tip - Heavy, sleepy eyelids

Suddenly my eyelids feel so heavy, and at the worst times. It's happened when I am just talking with someone-my eyes are closing, eyelids so heavy, I struggle to keep my eyes open. The person I was talking to thinks I'm bored and am really rude.  Was I hypnotized? It's probably the autonomic nervous system taking a break.

Blinking is usually a natural reflex. Parkinson's Disease can cause a person to stare and the autonomic nervous system forgets it's time to blink.   

I started doing an eye exercise to strengthen my eyes and remind my brain to blink. I'm not sure if my ophthalmologist would endorse this technique, but here it is. 

The exercise is 8 steps. I basically look in each direction, hold it for a second and blink. Look in the next direction and repeat.

• Look up and left, blink
• Look up, blink
• Look up and right, blink
• Look right, blink
• Look down and right, blink
• Look down, blink
• Look down and left, blink
• Look left, blink

I repeat this for a minute. Afterwards my eyes feel open and awake.

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PD Quick Tip - Freezing

If you get "stuck" walking, brushing teeth, in the shower scrubbing shampoo, etc. Try looking at the task from another angle. 

Walking around in apartment. Sometimes I'm heading into a room and can't make the left turn to go in. Back up and try doing the task in reverse.  I turn right three times and I'm facing left.

When I'm having trouble with my arms and hands and it's difficult to move the toothbrush, it seems to be the toothpaste jamming me up. When I try it without toothpaste and rinse with mouthwash it works.  I don't know if a dentist would be on board with this method.

When I'm walking outside I focus on the sidewalk and try to follow the lines so I'm not swerving all over. 

Occasionally I'll think of something I do that seems counter intuitive or just strange but it works for me and my PD and maybe it can help another struggling person too.

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