About Parkinson's

What is Parkinson's:

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs when more than
50% of dopamine is lost in the brain. The affected area is the substantia nigra,
a very tiny part of the brain. The primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD)
are tremor, rigidity (stiffness), bradyknesia (slowness), or impaired balance.
Other symptoms of PD can be depression, masked-like face, freezing, sleeping problems, dyskinesia (involuntary movements), mood and memory problems, fatigue, speech and swallowing problems, or changes in bowel and bladder function

Anyone can get PD. It usually occurs with people in their 50s and 60s, but about 20% of patients are considered Young Onset Parkinson's patients. Young Onset occurs in people between the age of 30 and 50.

There is no known cause for PD, although there is speculation that it could be caused by the environment, manganese in well water, pesticides, etc.

There is no cure for PD, only treatment for the symptoms.

Wisconsin Movement Disorders Specialist
A movement disorders specialist is a neurologist who is specially trained in movement disorders, such as PD. Click here to find a movement disorders specialist to help you.