Almost one million people living in the United States currently have Parkinson’s Disease. Thousands more will receive a diagnosis each year.
While this can be a scary time, knowing exactly what you’re facing can help you and your loved ones prepare. So what is Parkinson’s disease and what are your treatment options? If you have recently been diagnosed, read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a type of neurodegenerative condition that affects your dopamine-producing neurons. Generally, this can develop over a long period of time, with symptoms taking a long time to appear.
While Parkinson’s is not fatal, it does get worse over time and it can lead to serious complications.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms often begin very mildly. In fact, a person can live with Parkinson’s for years before their symptoms become really noticeable. Some tell-tale symptoms of Parkinson’s include:
- Tremors (particularly pill rolling tremors)
- Limb rigidity
- Bradykinesia
- Difficulty with gait and balance
If you do experience any of these symptoms it is a good idea to get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
While we know what happens when a person has Parkinson’s, we still haven’t identified a specific cause of this.
Genetics and environmental factors are likely to play a role. So if you have a parent or sibling with Parkinson’s then the chances of you developing it are a little higher.
Men are also more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women.
Can You Treat Parkinson’s?
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for Parkinson’s disease.
That said some medication, such as levodopa, can help to manage your condition. This converts to dopamine when it enters the brain and so counterbalances damage to your dopamine neurons. This helps to relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
However, over time Parkinson’s progression can make this less effective. Fortunately, there are some other habits that can help to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s and slow down its progression.
Exercise and Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Drugs are not the only way to help slow down the progression of Parkinson’s. Regular exercise has also been shown to help slow down the condition significantly.
In fact, the Parkinson’s Foundation recommends exercising for at least 2.5 hours a week as soon as possible when you receive a diagnosis. An active lifestyle has been shown to help slow the decline of Parkinson’s significantly.
This is why a lot of people getting help with Parkinson’s disease turn to a physical therapist for support. They will help you find exercises that keep you active without putting a strain on your body.
Occupational therapists, such as LSVT Big Parkinson’s Therapy, will also help you find new ways to adjust your routine around your symptoms to make daily life easier.
Get Support Today
So now you know the answer to ‘What is Parkinson’s disease?’ understanding your next steps shouldn’t be as daunting. There is plenty of support available for people living with Parkinson’s. So don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
For more great advice and information about your health, keep scrolling now.
