Trying to get a full night’s rest while living with Parkinson’s disease is often easier said than done. Patients often face frequent interruptions and irregular sleep due to a number of issues, such as poor nap patterns, abnormal movements during sleep, medication side effects, and difficulties surrounding sleep-improving exercise.
Amy Amara, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Movement Disorders Section Head at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, helps patients navigate the challenges. Amara became interested in sleep medicine after seeing how her patients with Parkinson’s struggle with sleep.
“It’s really rewarding to make somebody feel better by helping to improve their sleep,” she said. “Especially seeing how their life turns around while improving how they function during the daytime.”
Below, Amara details the current state of research in the relationship between Parkinson’s and sleep and the vital importance of exercise in treatment.