Ogemaw Parkinson's Support Group

Ogemaw Parkinson's Support Group This page will provide information about the meetings, events, and speakers for the Ogemaw Parkinson's Support Group. It will be a forum for PD.

We are a group that provides support and information for parkinson's patients, caregivers, or for anyone wanting more information about parkinson's. We gather every second Tuesday of the month at 2:00-3:30 pm in the Executive Dining Room of the West Branch Hospital. It is immediately to the right as one goes into the Main Entrance.

01/17/2026

Send a message to learn more

01/07/2026

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photopharmics_
If you are living with Parkinson’s, a good night’s sleep can often feel like a distant memory.

💤 Studies show that up to 90% of people with PD experience sleep disturbances.

But why does this happen?

It is important to understand that sleep issues are not just a side effect of aging—they are a core part of the condition.

The Science: A Broken Clock Parkinson’s affects the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that acts as your body’s "master clock."

This disrupts your circadian rhythm (your internal 24-hour cycle).

Without a strong signal from this clock, your body gets confused about when to release melatonin (for sleep) and cortisol (for wakefulness).

This leads to common issues like:

— Sleep Fragmentation: Waking up frequently throughout the night.

— REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): Acting out vivid dreams because the body doesn’t paralyze muscles during sleep.

— Daytime Sleepiness: Feeling exhausted when you should be alert.

💡What You Can Do (The Toolkit)?

While you cannot change the diagnosis, you can strengthen your body's sleep signals.

1. Light as Medicine Since your internal clock is drifting, you need to anchor it. Get 20–30 minutes of bright light exposure immediately upon waking.

This signals your brain that the day has started, which helps build "sleep pressure" for the night.

2. The "Satin Sheet" Hack If rigidity makes it hard to turn over in bed, causing you to wake up, switch to satin sheets or pajamas.

The reduced friction makes moving easier and requires less effort.

3. Watch the "Nap Trap" Excessive daytime sleepiness is real, but long naps steal sleep from the night. If you must nap, keep it under 20 minutes and before 2:00 PM.

4. Review Medications Some PD medications can be stimulating. Talk to your neurologist about timing your doses to ensure they aren't keeping you wired at bedtime.

Sleep is essential for clearing toxins from the brain. Prioritizing it is one of the best ways to protect your brain health.

Visit photopharmics.com to learn more about how light therapy can help regulate sleep cycles in Parkinson's.

Send a message to learn more

Address

Maysville, GA

Opening Hours

12:30pm - 2pm

Telephone

+19898362132

Website

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