Parkinson's & alcohol - Parkinson's Disease Message Board

interstate495 · 08-06-2009, 07:07 PM

my dad has been a drinker all his life mainly whiskey, he is 86 now and is diagnosed with parkinsons he is being tube fed as he can't swallow were hoping he will regain his swallowing and the tube can be removed
does anyone know if alchol over a lifetime can contribute to parkinsons?

Thanks

kathyIS54 · 08-21-2009, 10:02 PM

To be blunt ....NO, most people with P.D.have lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. Sadly
it can hit anyone, and it seems age does'nt always dicate it.

My personal opinion, and I "repeat my personal opinion" is P.D.has alot to do with toxic enviorments,

Cheers

ivydawson · 09-19-2009, 12:44 AM

i agree...i don't believe that drinking has anything to do with parkinson's. the folks that study the disease can't say for sure. there are theories that it's got something to do with an injury to the brain (not just physical injury but possibly viruses and such) and i've heard it could have something to do with exposure to toxins.

clsc · 12-30-2009, 12:32 AM

I came to this thread after a search about Parkinson's and alcohol. Not whether it causes it, of course I think it's toxins or something we do not yet understand.

My question is: Is it OK, or unwise for a Parkinson's patient to drink alcohol? A very small glass of dark red wine was OK as far as I was concerned.

But what about the advisability of vodka? I'm thinking it's not a good idea and sticking to the red wine a couple times a week is better.

I have searched the internet for this, and the only search results I get are like this thread, with the questions and information about whether or not alcohol is the *cause* of PD.

I need to know whether drinking vodka along with PD and 2 Parkinsons meds + 3 or 4 for cholesterol, BP and angina is risky. Obviously I think it is but will take the advice of those here that know more about it than I do.

Any replies or information would be appreciated...... TIA,
CLSC

kathyIS54 · 01-01-2010, 12:08 PM

Hello, I think the issue is how it interacts with the meds, my hubby enjoys liquors and the odd glass of wine, but it pretty much stays with just one drink, rarely any more.
I find the best advice from our Pharmacist, every precription has a fact sheet they can print off and give you.
Balance is a real issue for later stages of PD so drinking more then one or 2 could for sure be a problem, falling etc.
My hubby falls enough, does'nt need the help of booze

Kathy