Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson's

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Cuidar a un ser querido con la enfermedad de Parkinson puede tomar muchas formas. Ya sea que usted sea cónyuge, pareja, amigo o hijo de alguien con la EP, es importante definir qué significa para usted el "cuidado" y reconocer la capacidad realista que tiene para brindar atención.
 
En este episodio, invitamos nuevamente a Martha Suárez Torres, terapeuta del habla y el lenguaje y cónyuge de una persona que vive con la EP, para que comparta su perspectiva sobre cómo los cuidadores pueden comunicar su capacidad realista y sus expectativas a sus seres queridos, sin juzgar. Tener conversaciones regulares y abiertas sobre el cuidado puede ayudar a ambas partes a entenderse mejor y reducir el riesgo de agotamiento.
 
5 consejos para comunicarse con su ser querido con Parkinson:
1.    Limite las distracciones. Encuentre un espacio tranquilo y calmado donde puedan concentrarse el uno en el otro.
2.    Hablen por turnos. Permita que una persona hable a la vez.
3.    Hablen cara a cara. Dé prioridad a hablar en persona.
4.    Establezcan señales. Pónganse de acuerdo sobre señales si alguien está hablando demasiado bajo o tiene dificultad para oír.
5.    Manténgalo simple. Use oraciones cortas y claras, y reformule según sea necesario para confirmar la comprensión.
 
Muchas gracias a Martha por acompañarnos en otro episodio del pódcast. Si aún no lo ha hecho, vea su último episodio, "Problemas de deglución en el Parkinson", donde habla sobre cómo reconocer y manejar los cambios en la deglución en el Parkinson. https://www.parkinson.org/library/podcast/espanol/37.
 
Noviembre es el Mes Nacional de los Cuidadores Familiares, un momento para reconocer y brindar apoyo a los millones de cuidadores en todo el país. En reconocimiento del mes, nuestra campaña "Encuentre su conexión de atención" invita a los cuidadores de la comunidad del Parkinson a conectarse con información confiable, programas educativos, eventos y otras personas que entienden su experiencia.
 
Visite https://Parkinson.org/MesDeCuidadores para obtener más información. Juntos, ayudemos a los cuidadores a encontrar nuevas fuentes de apoyo, comunidad y conexión en el camino.

Nutrition plays an important role in supporting overall health, but despite the many diets and wellness trends out there, there is no Parkinson's disease-specific diet scientifically proven to slow Parkinson's progression.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lisa Deuel from the University of Vermont Medical Center to dispel the nutrition myths. She shares why it's more helpful to think about balance and moderation rather than restricting and labeling food as "good" or "bad". She explores the evidence behind diets like the Mediterranean and MIND (known as Neurodegenerative Delay) and breaks down commonly used terms like "neuroprotective" and "anti-inflammatory" so you can make more confident food choices.
Key Takeaways:
1. Reframe thinking of food as "good" or "bad" to seeing food as fuel for your body.
2. Research is still lacking on whether certain foods can slow the progression of Parkinson's.
3. Follow a sustainable approach that is individualized to your unique needs and preferences.

Want to hear more from Dr. Deuel? Check out her episode, "What Your Gut Has to Do with Parkinson's", to learn about the relationship between the gut microbiome and Parkinson's.

Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there's a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

Want more? Listen to the full episode on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at parkinson.org/Podcasts.
Nutrition plays an important role in supporting overall health, but despite the many diets and wellness trends out there, there is no Parkinson's disease-specific diet scientifically proven to slow Parkinson's progression.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lisa Deuel from the University of Vermont Medical Center to dispel the nutrition myths. She shares why it's more helpful to think about balance and moderation rather than restricting and labeling food as "good" or "bad". She explores the evidence behind diets like the Mediterranean and MIND (known as Neurodegenerative Delay) and breaks down commonly used terms like "neuroprotective" and "anti-inflammatory" so you can make more confident food choices.
More resources on Nutrition and Parkinson's:
"Nutrition and PD" fact sheet
"What to Know Before Taking Nutritional Supplements for Parkinson's" podcast episode
"Simple Resolutions for Better Health" blog post
Listen to our other podcast episodes at parkinson.org/Podcasts.

You don't have to have Parkinson's disease (PD), or even know someone who does, to help make a difference. Although you may not personally know someone living with Parkinson's, nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed each year. Having a basic understanding of the disease and how it can present is critical to raising awareness and helping people recognize the signs of PD in themselves or someone they know. Earlier diagnosis can lead to timely treatment, better health outcomes, and an improved quality of life.  

Parkinson's has long been viewed as an "old man's disease," creating the misconception that it only affects older adults. In this episode, Bryan Geenen and Prajakti Barot, Parkinson's Foundation Ambassadors in Colorado, share why they chose to become volunteers and how they're helping challenge that stereotype. They discuss why younger generations play a vital role in raising awareness, bringing fresh perspectives, and inspiring others to take action. 

Key Takeaways: 

As more people are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year, younger generations have an opportunity to bring fresh ideas and technology to build on past work. 


Knowing the common signs of PD helps educate others about the disease.  


You don't have to know someone with PD to make a positive impact on the Parkinson's community. 


Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there's a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

Want more? Listen to the full episode at parkinson.org/Podcasts.
Sleep problems affect more than 75% people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and can have a significant impact on day to day life. Common challenges include difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleepiness during the day, and acting out dreams while asleep. 
This episode focuses on REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep Behavior Disorder, or RBD, a condition in which people may verbally and/or physically act out their dreams. These instances can increase the risk of injury for both the person with Parkinson's and their bed partner, making awareness and symptom management especially important.
We invited Dr. Aleksandar Videnovic, Chief of the Division of Sleep Neurology at Massachusetts General Brigham, along with Caron Gan and John Poma, members of the NAPS Consortium on REM Sleep Behavior Disorders, to share insights on what RBD is, why it happens, and strategies for managing symptoms.