Parkinson’s disease – you may have heard of it because Neil Diamond and Ozzy Osbourne were recently diagnosed with it. Or perhaps you know Michael J. Fox is a strong advocate and funds research through his foundation. Neurologist Jonathan Spivack, MD, discusses this disease, while physiatrist Stephanie Jones, DO, explains how physical therapy can help as a supplemental treatment.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation about ten million people worldwide currently have this disease.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
“Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses slowly and definitely, though at variable rates,” explains Dr. Spivack. “Symptoms go beyond the classic motor changes. It results from a loss of specific dopamine-producing brain cells. Specifically, this loss is likely due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors,” he adds.
Dopamine allows communication between particular nerve cells responsible for movement. If you have Parkinson’s dopamine levels gradually drop, causing a loss of motor skills. Generally, most patients with the disease are over age 65.
Early Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosing Parkinson’s can be difficult as some of the symptoms happen during the natural aging process. The Parkinson’s Foundation identifies the following 10 early signs of PD:
Tremors or shaking of your hand, fingers or chin
Small handwriting
Loss of smell
Sudden movements during sleep
Stiffness when walking or moving
Constipation
Softer or lower voice volume
Mad facial expression
Feeling dizzy or faint
Hunching or stooping posture
A single sign may not point to the disease, but if you (or a loved one) has multiple signs, talk to your healthcare provider.
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Parkinson's Disease Know The Important Symptoms
