ActiveBody E D I T E D B Y K AT E M A X I M
Living with Parkinson’s Katherine Fletcher, Research Communications Manager at Parkinson’s UK gives us the full facts about this condition
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ARKINSON’S IS THE fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure. Parkinson’s UK estimates that there are approximately 145,000 people living with the condition in the UK, and that 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime lthough it predominantly affects older people younger people can get it too. It develops when brain cells that are responsible for producing a vital chemical called dopamine die over time. The brain uses dopamine to send messages to help control and coordinate movement. With the loss of these cells, the brain can’t make enough dopamine, causing symptoms of Parkinson’s to appear. The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s - tremor, slowness of movement and stiffness - may be familiar to some and these are all common early signs of the condition. However, there are actually more than 40 symptoms that have been associated with the condition, which affects everyone differently esser nown symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, memory issues, pain and hallucinations ow ar inson’s affects someone can change from day to day, even from hour to hour.
We don’t yet know exactly why people get Parkinson’s, but researchers think it’s a combination of age, genetic and environmental factors esearchers are wor ing hard to find ways to protect precious dopamine-producing cells, which could lead to better treatments and a cure for the condition. Parkinson’s tends to develop gradually and it can be a number of months, or even years before symptoms arise. If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, may have Parkinson’s, the best thing to do is to talk to a GP or healthcare professional, as they can refer you to a specialist if your symptoms need further investigation. While there is no cure there are different treatments therapies and support available to help manage the condition. Medication is the main way in which people with Parkinson’s can help manage their symptoms, alongside therapies such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. For many people with Parkinson’s, exercise can also be as important as medication for helping to manage the condition. We know that 2.5 hours of exercise a week can slow the progression of symptoms. The important thing to remember is that there is no one-si e-fits-all approach, so individuals should explore what kind of physical activity works best for them. If medication and therapies no longer help to control symptoms, some people with Parkinson’s may be suitable for deep brain stimulation (DBS) - the main type of surgery used in the management of ar inson’s n S very fine wires are carefully inserted into the brain to electrically stimulate particular groups of brain cells involved in controlling movement to adjust their activity and help to control symptoms his can be turned on and off through the use of a pacemaker-like device. Although DBS does not stop Parkinson’s from progressing it can be effective at improving motor symptoms li e tremor and involuntary movements. ar inson’s is here for everyone affected by ar inson’s and our ultimate goal is to find a cure o achieve this we invest in promising research, increasing our understanding of the cause of the condition and accelerating the development and testing of new treatments. The charity also provides vital services to help people get the information and support they need when they need it iving with Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming, but support like our online community and local groups are a great way to connect with others living with the condition, family members, friends and carers. For information and support, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk. You can also call Parkinson’s UK’s free, confidential helpline: 0808 800 0303.
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