Health awareness is directly in proportion to healthy living. Believing in this notion, FrontEnders Foundation grabs every opportunity in order to bring awareness on Parkinson’s Disease. Here is all what you need to know about this neurodegenerative disorder.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive Neuro-Degenerative disorder that affects a person’s speaking, motion and cognitive abilities. It is commonly observed in the people above 60 years, majorly in men. Nearly 7 million Indians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. A study has shown that the prevalence of the disease is higher in the rural regions than urban areas of the country.
History of Parkinson’s Disease?
It is speculated that few symptoms of this disorder were mentioned in the ancient Indian Ayurveda under the name of Kampavata. And, it was mentioned as Shaking Palsy by the Western Doctors in 175 AD. However, it was in 1817 the disorder got an understandable description and published as a new medical disorder by Dr. James Parkinson after whom the disease was named as Parkinson’s Disease. And, the cause of the disease was identified precisely in the year of 1960.
Cause of Parkinson’s Disease
This is caused by loss of nerve cells in Substantia Nigra region in the brain. These nerve cells are responsible for producing Dopamine, a hormone that is essential to ensure body balance. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that transmits messages from the brain to the body parts. As the loss of Dopamine nerve cells continues, the intensity of Parkinson’s Disease gets worse. There are several factors such as Genetic, Environmental, Head injury and Age-related issues may cause nerve loss and lead to Parkinson’s.
Myths of Parkinson’s Disease
For various reasons such as lack of knowledge and awareness, a lot of myths and misconceptions have revolved around Parkinson’s Disease. The following are few of them.
Parkinson’s Disease can affect both motor and non-motor abilities such as slurred speech, memory issues, urinary urgency and cognitive ability.
Though the majority of the people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are above 60 years, it can be diagnosed at any age group.
It is true that Parkinson’s Disease could not be treated but it can be managed and refrain symptoms reaching advance levels by medicine and physical exercises.
The symptoms and their progress vary from person to person. Though the symptoms are visible at an early stage, this is no way predictable.
