Healthy sleep

Sleep may not sound like a therapy, but it is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body and mind. Parkinson's disease can be an exhausting and stressful disorder and therefore getting enough sleep is very important for people with Parkinson's disease. Some Parkinson's disease symptoms are improved by sleep, and many people find that their body movements are better in the morning after a good night's rest.

Unfortunately, Parkinson's disease and the medications used to treat the disease can cause problems such as insomnia and vivid dreams, as well as pain and stiffness, which prevent restful sleep. Therefore, it can be helpful to establish a routine to promote sleep. This could include going to bed and getting up at regular times, avoiding daytime napping or oversleeping, and making the bedroom a dark and restful place. It may also help to avoid caffeine drinks (e.g., coffee, cola) before bedtime, and not read, eat or watch TV in bed.

Relaxation techniques such as massage, acupuncture or aromatherapy can reduce stress and prepare the body for sleep. However, if all these techniques fail, then it might be possible for the doctor to prescribe some sleeping medication, or to alter the doses of any medications that could be causing sleep problems. As always, no changes in medication should be made without first consulting a doctor.