Parkinson’s disease: Ten things YOU didn’t know about condition which damages the brain

July 18, 2016

It is a degenerative neurological condition, in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged as the patient grows older.

The main symptoms of the condition are tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity.

People with Parkinson’s disease do not have enough of a chemical called dopamine which functions as a neurotransmitter — a chemical released by neurons (nerve cells) to send signals to other nerve cells.

Without dopamine, people find their movements become slower and it takes them longer to move.

However, here are ten things people might not know about the condition.

1. Every hour someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson's.

2. There isn’t just one type of Parkinson’s.

There may be five or more types of Parkinson’s according to researchers at Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, which are categorised on factors such as type of symptom and progression of the condition.

3. Everyone is different - no two people with Parkinson’s will have exactly the same symptoms.

4. People sometimes find sufferers can look disinterested or distant.  Parkinson’s can affect  people’s facial muscles, giving some people a ‘mask’ or a somber expression, rather than reflecting their emotions.

5. Although Parkinson’s can affect a person’s movement, it’s often the unseen symptoms such as pain and fatigue which can have the greater impact on people’s quality of life .

Experts say the large number of symptoms can make the disease difficult to diagnose.

6. There’s no cure. Sadly despite scientific advances, there still is no cure for Parkinson’s – something scientific research, and charity  Parkinson’s UK is working to change.

7. A new treatment might be just around the corner.

Recent research has shown that drugs used to treat cancer and liver conditions may hold promise to treating Parkinson’s.

8. The answer to the condition could be in our genes.

Although still in the early stages, Parkinson’s UK is funding research to develop gene therapy – an innovative approach which uses genes to slow or halt the development of Parkinson’s.

9. It also affects younger people: Although it is more common in older people, people under the age of 40 years can develop symptoms. 

10. There is help available to sufferers of the disease. Parkinson's UK is the UK's leading charity supporting those with the condition. 

Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's through cutting edge research, information, support and campaigning.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/690479/Parkinson-s-disease-ten-facts-about-neurological-condition