Medical Health Encyclopedia

Both smoking and coffee drinking have been associated with lower risk for PD. Researchers are attempting to discover if these substances protect nerve cells. One interesting 2002 study suggested that the early disease process in PD produces changes in the dopamine pathway that actually protects an individual from caffeine and nicotine addiction, so that fewer PD patients have a history of smoking and caffeine. Research is needed to determine why these toxic substances protect against PD.

Smoking and Nicotine Replacement. Cigarette smokers appear to have a 40% lower risk for Parkinson's disease, indicating some protection by nicotine. This finding, of course, is no excuse to smoke, but such protection may help researchers develop new therapies. Studies on nicotine replacement, such as gum or patches, have been conflicting, however, with some short-term studies reporting no benefits. A 2002 study suggested that nicotine replacement may help smokers with early PD, but not nonsmokers.

Coffee Consumption. Studies have indicated that the risk for PD in coffee drinkers is about 30% lower than for non-coffee drinkers. In one 30-year 2000 study of Japanese-American men, for example, coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk for Parkinson's disease and the more coffee they drank, the lower their risk became. It should be noted, coffee and tea can reduce fluids by increasing urination and so may increase constipation in PD.

Ibuprofen

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Regular use of ibuprofen may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease according to research presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. In this prospective study, people who took at least two ibuprofen tablets per week for at least one year lowered their risk of developing Parkinson’s by 35% compared to nonusers or irregular users. For those who took ibuprofen daily, the comparative risk was 38% lower. Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) did not appear to affect disease risk.

Rehabilitation, Exercise, and Other Helpful Therapies