Page 34 - Seniorstoday February 2023 Issue
P. 34
Health
Recognising Parkinson’s
Awareness of the disease manifestations, the treatments, and progressive
long-term course of the disease is necessary to ensure a better quality of
life, writes Dr Nandini Saini
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common women in most populations.
neurodegenerative disorder affecting With such a large population living with
patients in large numbers throughout the Parkinson’s, either having the disease
world. A debilitating movement disorder itself, caring for someone with Parkinson’s,
that is chronic and progressive, PD or knowing someone affected, there should
affects people over 65 years with tell- tale be more awareness of the condition. Yet,
symptoms which continue and worsen apart from the obviously visible symptoms,
over time. such as shakes and tremors, not many
Epidemiology: The incidence and people would recognize the symptoms of
prevalence of PD increases with advancing Parkinson’s.
age, being present in 1% of people over the It’s probably not surprising, because it can
age of 65 years. be difficult to tell if you have the disease.
Early-onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) There are, however, 10 symptoms
is defined as the onset of Parkinsonian which can indicate that you may have
features before the age of 40 years. It Parkinson’s. Having one or two of these
accounts for 3-5% of all PD cases. It is symptoms by themselves shouldn’t be
classified into the ‘juvenile’ (occurring alarming, but if you have a few of them,
before the age of 21 years) and ‘young- you should consider a visit your GP or
onset’ PD (YOPD, occurring in the age health professional.
range of 21- 40 years). SYMPTOMS:
PD is twice as common in men as in 1. Tremors and shakes
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