Knowing the Signs of Parkinson's Disease
PARKINSON’S DISEASE affects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60. In the United States,
60, 000 new cases will be diagnosed this year alone.
More than 10 MILLION people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease.
Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age but approximately 4% of people are diagnosed before the age of 50.
WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE (PD)?
PD is a type of movement disorder. Normally, nerve cells in the brain produce the chemical dopamine, which sends signals within the brain to produce smooth movement of muscles. In people with PD, some of the cells that make dopamine are damaged or dead. This leaves patients with PD unable to control their movements.
WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms typically begin slowly and on one side of the body. They will eventually affect both sides.
Some symptoms include:
- Trembling of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face.
- Stiffness of the legs, arms, and trunk.
- Slow movement.
- Poor coordination and balance.
WHAT CAUSES PARKINSON’S?
The true cause of the disease remains unknown- many believe that it is a combination of environmental (such as exposure to toxins) and genetic factors.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE PARKINSON’S?
There is no chemical test for the disease, which means it can sometimes be hard to diagnose. Your health care practitioner will use your medical history and perform a neurological exam to diagnose you.
A neurological exam is an exam performed in your physician’s office that may be performed with instruments and questioning that usually does not cause any pain to the patient.
MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT
There are medications available to help treat the symptoms of PD but there is currently no treatment available to completely reverse the disease.
If you think you may be suffering from Parkinson’s Disease- Contact your health care practitioner today.
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