Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Parkinson’s can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a “movement disorder.” But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinson’s so it is tough to nail down a specific profile as it affects everyone differently.. Parkinson’s is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that over time, symptoms slowly worsen.
Common Parkinson’s symptoms include tremor at rest, rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and postural instability (lack of balance). Generally, at least two of these four symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of Parkinson’sDisease to be made. Here are a few more:
- Tremors that affect the face and jaw, arms, legs, and hands
- Slow, stiff walking (sometimes your arms don’t swing)
- Falling or Trouble maintaining balance
- Coordination Issues
- Stiffness in your arms and legs
- Changes in handwriting (your handwriting gets smaller)
According to the National Institute on Aging, “Some cases of Parkinson’s disease appear to be hereditary, and a few cases can be traced to specific genetic variants. While genetics is thought to play a role in Parkinson’s, in most cases the disease does not seem to run in families. Many researchers now believe that Parkinson’s results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins.”
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Experts don’t yet understand how to prevent Parkinson disease. In some instances, there seems to be a genetic predisposition to develop Parkinson disease, but this isn’t always the case. Research is underway to find new ways to treat and prevent the disease.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation is a great place to start. Read the Newly Diagnosed Kit, visit Parkinson.org or call the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-473-4636.
There are some great resources out there. Take a look at these Facebook groups: