Dyskinesia is the medical condition of an uncontrolled, involuntary movement that occurs with long-term use of the medication levodopa and the prolonged symptoms of Parkinson’s. The symptoms of dyskinesia can affect any body part such as arm or leg, or the whole body. In dyskinesia, the affected body part looks like it is fidgeting, writhing, or wriggling. Head bobbing or body swaying could also occur.

The exact reason due to which the symptoms of dyskinesia develop has not yet been confirmed. However, it has been believed that a certain number of brain chemicals including serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine play a major role in causing dyskinesia.

In dyskinesia, the typical goal is to find a treatment regime that significantly minimizes the effect of the disease. Hence, lifestyle tips for dyskinesia are key to this type of treatment procedure. Below is a list of seven lifestyle tips for dyskinesia that will be helpful to you.

1. Consult your doctor for a change in the doses of medication
If it is consumed in high doses, levodopa is likely to lead to the symptoms of dyskinesia. Hence, it is highly important to adopt the lowest dose that can help in controlling the symptoms. This is one of the most vital lifestyle tips for dyskinesia.

2. Tweak the medication timings
The timing of medication also plays a significant role in controlling the symptoms of dyskinesia. Your doctor is likely to suggest how to split your daily medication into more frequent and smaller doses. It will promote a steadier treatment.

3. Opt for alternate medication
If there are higher chances of developing the symptoms of dyskinesia, ask your doctor to prescribe any other medication instead of levodopa. This is one of the preventive lifestyle tips for dyskinesia.

4. Deep brain stimulation
In case of severe symptoms of dyskinesia, doctors usually prescribe surgical or deep brain stimulation-based treatments. In severe stages, medication does not offer the expected results. In the treatment procedure of deep brain stimulation, a thin wire attached to the specific part of the brain, which controls movement, is inserted. The wire is used to deliver electric pulses to treat the symptoms of dyskinesia.

5. Adjust your diet
Though there is no specific diet suggested for the treatment of dyskinesia, certain dietary changes do help. If you are under medication, avoid protein-rich foods. Opt to have carbohydrate-based snacks.

6. Manage stress
If you are under stress, the symptoms of dyskinesia worsen. Hence, you should always work towards managing your stress levels. Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises.

7. Practice aerobics
Adopting aerobic exercises will offer you more energy to fight the symptoms of dyskinesia. Further, physical exercise will boost your heart and slow your disease. You can also adopt other exercising options such as swimming, rowing, and cycling, etc.