Disability Resource Directory

Can Parkinson's Disease Affect You?

 Parkinson's Disease affects thousands upon thousands of patients worldwide, although it is sometimes hard to ensure the count is accurate based on the number of cases which go unreported each year. It is a condition which is not synonymous with poverty, nor malnutrition, nor does it know of any geographic boundaries. The condition can affect anyone, with no known cause or reason, regardless of social status, education or race. Many patients in the early stages of the disease dismiss the symptoms as a natural part of the aging process and consequently do not seek help from their physician. It is highly recommended that if you, or someone you know is experiencing the trademark symptoms such as the tremor and loss of smooth, controlled movement, they consult a physician immediately for testing and information about the condition, its treatment, and how to live with the symptoms. This will help allay any fears or concerns which you may have, as well as begin to help the symptoms of the condition to make life more bearable.

Diagnosis of Parkinson's is sometimes rather complex and can be particularly uncertain, given that patients may be diagnosed with other conditions, or alternatively patients with other conditions may be diagnosed with Parkinson's. This is because there are numerous other conditions which cause the same or some of the symptoms of Parkinson's. Parkinson's Disease mainly affects the male population, with white males far more likely to be affected by the condition than Asian or Black males, or even women. This trend cannot be explained as of yet, and there seems to be no causal link between gender and race and the onset of the condition, although scientists are carefully studying the correlation between gender and ethnicity and the onset of the condition. That said, Parkinson's can still affect females, and it would be fair to say that everyone has a similar chance of developing Parkinson's Disease, at least at some stage in their life.

Furthermore, the vast majority of patients are over the age of 50, as Parkinson's is a condition affecting the late-middle aged, although most patients will not realize the onset of the symptoms until roughly age 60. There have also been numerous reports of incidents of earlier development of the disease, as many as 10% of all cases can be attributed to patients below the age of 40. Again, there is no known cause for the earlier onset of the condition, other than those which can be attributed to head trauma and drug or alcohol abuse.

Parkinson's is a debilitating disease, which can strike anyone without warning or concern for lifestyle. It is important to ensure that any suspicious symptoms are reported at once to a medical professional to allow treatment to commence, if necessary, as soon as possible. There are also a number of support groups for sufferers and caregivers which help to keep the patient active and involved which are key to treating the condition.