Don't do this without asking your doctor, though
All of a sudden, the health benefits of coffee has become a hot topic. Now comes a new study that suggests people are drinking coffee to self-treat their Parkinson's disease. They're also doing it without talking to their doctors, too.
Anyone who knows someone with Parkinsons disease (PD) knows how challenging it can be, experiencing symptoms like shaking (tremors), problems walking, and stiff muscles. While there are medicines available to help manage these symptoms, they sometimes cause side effects like how well someone sleeps and their sense of smell, but even at that, none of them can fully cure the disease. At least not yet.
Because of this, many people with Parkinsons frequently turn to more natural ways to deal with their symptoms: Cannabis, natural health products, and coffee. Coffee is an interesting one simply because its history is not of mellowing someone out and calming them down, but spiking their energy levels instead. After hearing about the benefits that coffee gives Parkinsons patients, researchers decided to study the situation of how coffee and its possible benefits work for people living with Parkinsons disease.
Coffee a natural health product?
In a recent study, researchers wanted to know how many people with Parkinsons disease use natural health products, like coffee, to help manage their symptoms. They also wanted to find out if these people are aware of how these products might interact with their prescribed medications. The study surveyed 367 people with Parkinsons, and the results showed that 16% of participants used coffee to try to ease their symptoms. This made coffee one of the more popular natural products used, alongside cannabis and turmeric.
Its important to note that while some people with Parkinsons are using coffee, only 39% of those using any natural product had discussed it with their doctor or healthcare provider. This can be concerning because natural products, including coffee, could potentially interfere with prescribed medications. When different substances mix in the body, they can change the way a medication works, either making it less effective or causing unexpected side effects.
How coffee could help Parkinsons patients
For some people, coffee may help with certain Parkinsons symptoms. Caffeine, the main active ingredient in coffee, is known for its stimulating effects on the brain. It helps many people feel more alert and awake, which could be beneficial for someone with Parkinsons who may struggle with fatigue or sluggishness. Some studies have suggested that caffeine might even have protective effects on the brains nerve cells, but more research is needed to fully understand how this might relate to Parkinsons disease.
Even though coffee is widely used and enjoyed, it's crucial for people with Parkinsons to understand that its effects can vary from person to person. While it may help with certain symptoms, its not a replacement for prescribed treatments, and its interaction with medications needs to be considered carefully.
But, please, get your doctors blessing
A key takeaway from the study is the importance of discussing any use of natural products, including coffee, with healthcare professionals. Even though coffee seems like a common and safe beverage, its still important for people with Parkinsons to talk to their doctors about it. This ensures that the coffee wont interfere with their medications or treatments in unexpected ways.
Interestingly, the study showed that most people (71%) were interested in learning more about natural health products, yet only a small percentage (39%) actually discussed using these products with their healthcare providers. This highlights a gap in communication that could lead to complications if natural products interact negatively with medications.
These findings support the need for additional research efforts into the health benefits and safety of these products," the researchers wrote."We conclude that natural health products are used by people with Parkinsons disease to provide symptomatic relief, and open discussions with their healthcare providers are encouraged to ensure efficacy and safety.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-09-26 15:18:54
