The big picture when it comes to understanding of the connection between sleep and Parkinsons is a gross imbalance between the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic system is easily understood as a flight-fight response. When we are afraid or anxious, we want to either run away from the problem or fight it directly.
The parasympathetic system is the opposite – the rest and chill out digest system. No one can digest their food when they are running a marathon. And no one can get to sleep if their muscles are postured to fight off an unwanted intruder into the bedroom.
We survive because both systems serve vital functions. When neurological symptoms become problematic, the sympathetic
fight-flight system takes charge most of the time. Adrenaline and cortisol are fueling the fire inside out tissues. We are forever ready to engage and fight, seldom chilling out to rest and digest.
When you calm down your stress level and release past traumas you awaken a dormant parasympathetic nervous system. We all can get overly excited in the flash of an instant. Relaxing can take endless hours of meditation, soft music and pleasant company.
Connection Between Sleep and Parkinsons is Profound
The formidable challenge confronted by anyone experiencing the symptoms of Parkinsons confront is that rarely if do they drop down in the deep REM sleep that is critical for healing. Healing is successful only when we experience the level of deep sleep that is critical for rejuvenating and regenerating tissues.
A persistent flight flight sympathetic nervous system that dominates during the day does not relinquish control at night when sleeping. Nope. Once the sympathetic nervous system shifts into control is is not about to give it up. The refusal to back down is analogous to politicians who refuse to relinquish their power.
We slip down into that unconscious state of deep sleep when the body is literally paralyzed (in a good sense). There is a switch in the mid brain which is designed to turn on and off this ability to become paralyzed.
With Parkinson’s, the on-off switch gets stuck.
Many people with Parkinsons symptoms hold the belief they are getting good enough sleep. Most people with neurological challenges are not.
are not.
The bottom line: introduce into your recovery program a set of therapies and ways that flip your switch at night so that your sympathetic nervous system is deactivated. Recovery will be at a stalemate until you achieve the deep state of REM sleep night after night.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®
