Pulmonary functions in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disabling and progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. Morbidity and mortality are frequently associated with pulmonary dysfunction in patients with PD. AIM: To investigate characteristics of pulmonary function test (PFT) abnormalities in patients with PD and to study the effect of levodopa on the PFT findings. METHODS: Pulmonary function testing was performed in 35 patients with PD during 'off' and 'on' state while on levodopa; and 35 matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.001), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (p < 0.001), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) (p < 0.001), and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in patients with PD compared to controls. There was significant improvement in the PFT values in 'on' state compared to 'off' state. CONCLUSIONS: A restrictive pattern of pulmonary dysfunction is present in patients with PD, which improves significantly with levodopa. The evaluation and rehabilitation of respiratory disturbances should be routinely included in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Efficacy of naturopathy and yoga in bronchial asthma--a self controlled matched scientific study.

Asthma is one of the common psychosomatic illness influenced by many factors. Bronchodilators give temporary relief and have side effects. The present study is aimed at finding the efficacy of a non-pharmacological approach of naturopathy and Yoga in bronchial asthma. A total no of 37 patients (19 men, 18 women) with mean age 35.06 yrs (men), 40.74 yrs (women) admitted to INYS, Bangalore, for the period of 21 days. The treatment included 1. Diet therapy 2. Nature cure treatment and 3. Yoga therapy. The various parameters including lung function test were measured on admission and once a week. Results showed the significant improvement in PEFR, VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV/FEC %, MVV, ESR and absolute eosinophil count. The patients reported a feeling of well being, freshness and comfortable breathing. Naturopathy and yoga helps in inducing positive health, alleviating the symptoms of disease by acting at physical and mental levels.

Basal metabolic rate and body composition in elderly Indian males.

Aging is associated with a decline in basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total energy expenditure. The extent to which changes in fat free mass (FFM) alone, explains the reduction in BMR is still unresolved. In this study, we documented changes in body composition and evaluated its contribution to measured BMR in young and elderly Indian subjects. We compared 16 healthy elderly male subjects in the age group of 60-75 years with 16 Body Mass Index (kg/m2) matched controls in the age group of 18-25 years. Body composition measurements were determined by using multiple skinfolds and bio-impedence method. BMR measured by indirect calorimetry. The % fat and fat free mass was significantly different between two groups. There were significant difference in BMR between elderly and control group (elderly, 5.91 +/- 0.54 vs control; 7.08 +/- 0.65 MJ/day, P < 0.001), which disappeared when corrected for FFM. This suggests that the age related decrease in the BMR is related to the absolute decrease in the FFM in the elderly without any change in the metabolic activity per kg FFM.