Who Gets Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease entered mainstream consciousness when actor Michael J. Fox announced that he has it. However, even though more people are aware of this disease's existence, they don't necessarily know the risk factors, long-term effects and treatment options. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be. Symptoms can be controlled, and the disease's progression can be slowed as long as you are able to get an early diagnosis.

Definition

• Parkinson's disease is a condition in which a person has too little of the chemical dopamine in his brain. Brain cells that are supposed to manufacture this chemical either become impaired or die off for reasons that are not yet understood. Although researchers are starting to narrow down some risk factors, they cannot predict with certainty who is likely to get Parkinson's disease.

Symptoms

• Parkinson's disease has distinctive symptoms, particularly in its later stages. These include shaking, a slowdown in voluntary movement, stiff muscles, difficulty balancing, slurred or slowed speech, and dementia. Imbalance and mental impairment usually don't cause significant problems until the later stages of the disease.

Time Frame

• Because the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease are often subtle, they might be present for several months, or even years, before a person realizes something is wrong, according to the Mayo Clinic. Early diagnosis is important because the sooner treatment begins, the more likely it is that disease progression can be slowed.

Causes

• Doctors cannot predict who will develop Parkinson's disease, but there are certain risk factors. People usually develop it in middle age or later, and it shows up in men more frequently than in women. Its late development might be linked to contributing factors than range from allergies to anxiety. These factors take a cumulative toll throughout a person's life, potentially leading to Parkinson's disease in his later years. The Mayo Clinic said genetic mutations might make some people more prone to developing the disease. Having one or more close relative who developed Parkinson's disease appears to boost a person's risk. It is also suspected that certain environmental factors, such as pesticides, are triggers. According to Medical News Today, men appear to be at a higher risk because of a male protein in their bodies.

Treatment

• Although Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, it can be treated to lessen the symptoms and slow the disease's progression. People who are showing symptoms that might indicate Parkinson's disease, especially those with one or more risk factor, should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If Parkinson's is the problem, the doctor might prescribe medication to restore proper brain chemistry, therapy to help with physical effects or surgery to reduce involuntary movement.