One health problem that over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with each year is Parkinson's disease. While most people are diagnosed with this health issue after age sixty, some people can have an early onset of Parkinson's disease before the age of forty, roughly 5 - 10% of all diagnoses of the disease. The health problems associated with the disease can be mild or severe, and men tend to get it more than women. Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurological disease. It affects certain nerve cells in the brain, and these nerve cells die. When this happens, body movements of every kind are affected, and it can cause other health issues as a result of the disease's progression. The progression of Parkinson's disease as a health problem often begins gradually The symptoms are usually mild to begin with, but progress as time goes on. The first health symptoms to appear are often fatigue, slight tremors, forgetfulness, or changes in handwriting and speech. It most cases, it is often family or friends who notice the changes in the person's health with Parkinson's disease first. They often see the gradual stiffening of muscles, and the continual lack of facial expressions. It is important for people who notice that their health is not as good as it was to consult their doctor. As the disease progresses, the health symptoms can get worse. The tremors can become more pronounced. The patient's movements become slower, and muscles become more rigid. As the Parkinson's progresses further, balance can become a problem, and walking, posture and the possibility of falls becomes more worrisome. Handwriting and speech can change a great deal, as well. The good news is that for a lot of people with the health issue of Parkinson's disease, the symptoms are often mild to moderate and they can still lead productive lives. They sometimes need to have treatment for the disease and modify their lifestyles, but it does not present a significant health issue. Drug therapy is the most common way to slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease and keep the patient in good health. While there is no cure for this health problem, a lot of research is currently being done in this field. Sources:
http://www.pdtrials.org
http://www.webmd.com |
