What Do You Know About Parkinson’s Disease?

Spreading awareness about Parkinson’s disease is important for May! Parkinson’s disease is a result of a lack of dopamine production in the brain and attacks about 10 million people worldwide. This is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. Parkinson’s disease slowly develops as cells are destroyed in certain parts of the brain stem, particularly the crescent-shaped mass is known as the substantia nigra. The cause is unknown, and also there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms. There are an estimated 1 million people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the United States.

Symptoms may include tremors, balance problems, stiffness, changes in speech, voice, and swallowing, slowness of movement, trouble with handwriting, flatulence, loss of smell. The symptoms continue and worsen over time. Cognitive symptoms are common in Parkinson’s disease, more than 60% experience memory limitations, anxiety, and depression. 85 % of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are over the age of 65. Young-onset Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed before the age of 50. Parkinson’s disease affects all ages from 30 years old to 100 years old. Symptoms generally develop slowly over the years. The progression is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease.

Risk Factors

• Age - Risk ordinarily begins in middle-to-late life and continues to increase with age.

• Heredity – Having more than one close relative with Parkinson’s increases the chance of developing the disease

• Sex – Men are more likely to develop the disease than women

• Toxin exposure – Long-term herbicide/pesticide exposure slightly increases the risk

Since there is no known cause of this disease there are not any prevention methods at this time. Beside this here is some basic strategy to prevent Parkinson’s disease or to reduce your symptoms:

• Regular physical checkups with a physician

• Performing simple mental and aerobic exercises

• High fiber nutritious food with a healthy fat

• Caffeine, vitamin B6, and antioxidants help to prevent Parkinson’s

• Ensure you are getting enough sleep

For more information, please call our Century Medical clinic at (978) 594-8980 or contact us online. Schedule your consultation with the best doctors in Peabody, MA!