April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) was first documented in 1817 by James Parkinson, M.D., but there is still  not much known about the condition. PD is the most common of a group of movement disorders known as Parkinson’s syndromes. These syndromes have similar symptoms and are a result of a loss of dopamine-producing neurons.  Parkinson’s disease symptoms typically begin to appear when 80% of these neurons become damaged. After Alzheimer’s disease, PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. There is no cure for either disease, but PD symptoms can be managed with medication or in rare cases, surgery may be recommended. April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and is a good time to learn more about the disease.

PD is a progressive movement disorder of the central nervous system and begins gradually with a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms which increase in severity as the person ages. Symptoms may include:  gastrointestinal problems, trouble chewing and swallowing food, hallucinations, memory loss or dementia, clinical depression, and weight loss.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease:

• Body and hand tremors

• Speech changes or writing changes (very small writing)

• Impaired posture and balance

• Loss of automatic movement or sluggish movement (aka Bradykinesia) 

• Rigid muscles

• Distinctive changes in mood and behavior

• Frozen facial expressions

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Who is at Risk for PD?

More than 1.5 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s Disease and an estimated 60,000 new patients are diagnosed each year. Men are 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease than women. Most people develop PD in middle or late life, and the risk increases with age. People with a family history of PD and those who have been exposed to toxins are more likely to develop the disease.

PD Active:

Here in the East Bay, we are fortunate to have PD Active ,  a non-profit organization founded by people with PD to help build the PD community PD Active is a local community of people and programs dedicated to supporting the physical, cognitive and emotional health of people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). People who belong to PD Active benefit from movement classes (tai chi, Mark Morris dancing instruction, yoga, boxing and others), take voice lessons and play ping pong. These activities are specifically developed to help with symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.  There are round table discussions and expert seminars on all aspects of PD and support groups for people with PD and their caregivers.