About Parkinson’s disease
The list below contains handouts that are specially made for patients that suffer from Parkinson’s disease. We hope that you will find this information useful to print out for your patients.
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What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that involves a gradual loss of nerve cell function in the brain, i.e., it is a neurodegenerative condition. The nerve cells that are specifically affected in Parkinson’s disease are those that control body movement.
What is the frequency of Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder – only Alzheimer’s disease is more common. The incidence (number of new cases over a given period of time) and prevalence (total number of cases in the population) of Parkinson’s disease can be difficult to estimate. Epidemiological studies show that a significant proportion of the population is affected.
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
The cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known, although it is thought to involve a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.
How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually relies upon a physical examination and recognition of the main symptoms. Parkinson's disease can be difficult to diagnose as it presents with symptoms similar to several other disorders.
What are the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are: shaking, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement and poor balance. The symptoms develop and become more severe over time.
How is Parkinson's disease treated?
Presently, in the absence of a cure, the aim of treating Parkinson's disease is to control and relieve symptoms, thereby maintaining the patient's function, improving the patient's independence and reducing or delaying the reliance on carer support.
What are the co-morbidities of Parkinson's disease?
A large number of patients experience co-morbidity -
that is, additional illness alongside their Parkinson's disease.
What is the social and economic impact of Parkinson's disease?
There are many social aspects that need to be considered and, in the long term, social/community services may play a very important part in managing patient care.