Parkinson’s is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder, affecting the cells of a part of the brain. It is often considered a disease of old age, but the American Parkinson’s Disease Association says there has been a recent increase in the number of patients in their 30s and 40s.
Parkinson’s disease has many symptoms, but the primary ones are tremor in the arms, legs or face; muscle rigidity; slow movements; problems with balance and coordination; and difficulty walking. These symptoms are caused by a shortage of the brain chemical dopamine, which helps regulate movement and balance.
Because it is a progressive disease, the symptoms worsen with time, but Parkinson’s is rarely a death sentence. It often is said that people die with Parkinson’s disease, not from it.
Treatment for Parkinson’s falls into two categories, medications and surgery. You can learn more about Parkinson’s by checking out the links below.