Parkinson disease is the second most common neurologic disorders under Alzheimer's and affects approximately 1% of individuals older
than 60 years old.The disease has approximately 120 cases per 100,000 population and affects about 1.5 times more men than in women. Approximately 4 million people suffer from Parkinson’s disease world wide. Although about 1 in 20 people are diagnosed under the age of forty the risk of Parkinson's disease increases with age .
The symptoms of Parkinson's starts with a tremor and can progress to slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance. Some other symptoms of Parkinson's include; sleepiness, early awakening, nightmares, fatigue, dizziness, amnesia, confusion, dementia, impaired speech, anxiety, and reduced facial expression. Damage to neurons may begin up to two decades before symptoms ever appear. Symptoms usually occur after the age of fifty.
There's no specific test to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Instead, doctors look for four cardinal features of the movement disorder, says Hubert Fernandez, MD.Tremor or shaking at rest, involving the thumb, entire hand, arm, chin, lips, and feet. Rigidity felt by the doctor when rotating a patient's wrist or elbow. Akinesia or bradykinesia when walking or swinging an arm. Postural instability, making it necessary to hold onto something to maintain balance when walking or rising from a chair
There is no known cure for parkinson's disease but many medications can control symptoms such as; Bromocriptine,Amantadine, and many others. Some patients are also prescribed an antidepressant along with their symptom control medicine.There is increasing evidence that aerobic and learning-based exercises could be neuroprotective in aging individuals and those with neurodegenerative disease.