Parkinson's Disease: An In-Depth Look

Do you know anyone who suffers from Parkinson’s disease? I did. From the day my grandpa was diagnosed, I witnessed him slowly being taken prisoner by this debilitating disease. Are you at risk for Parkinson’s? What are the symptoms? Is there a cure in sight? Keep reading for answers to those very questions.

Do you know anyone who suffers from Parkinson’s disease? You may have become more aware of the disease in 1998 when Michael J. Fox revealed he had Parkinson’s, seven years after being diagnosed. And while you may like to think of your favorite TV or movie stars as your “close, personal friends” you realize it’s not the same as knowing someone directly who suffers from this debilitating disease.

I knew someone who had Parkinson’s – and he was much more than a close, personal friend. He was my Grandpa.

It started with some minor symptoms – one was that he began to shuffle his feet while walking. My grandma thought maybe he was suffering from a bad hip. He didn’t have the tell-tale sign of shaking or tremors, like Fox, but when they went to the clinic one day to check things out, the doctor knew right away what was going on.

It was an uphill battle from that very day. The man, farmer, husband, parent, grandparent – formerly full of life and vigor - was slowly taken prisoner by the disease.

When he passed away in 1996, it wasn’t likely from Parkinson’s itself, but rather the complications that resulted from living a life of Parkinson’s – sedentary and immobile – and the effects of the strokes he’d suffered as well.

I miss him very much, and take this subject very seriously (as you can probably tell from the more “somber” tone I have taken in this article). One thing I can do in his memory, however, is to pass along information about Parkinson’s that might be helpful to you or someone you know. So here goes . . .

Parkinson’s Defined
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurological movement disorder that progressively worsens over time. It occurs when the cells in the brain that produces dopamine, a chemical that regulates movement, stop functioning normally and die.

The Statistics
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, as many as one million Americans suffer from the disease, and over 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed each year. Fifteen percent of people with Parkinson’s will be diagnosed before the age of 50; however, the likelihood of diagnosis increases with age.

Symptoms
Typical symptoms of Parkinson’s include:
• Uncontrollable shaking or tremors of the arms, hands legs and face
• Difficulty maintaining balance and coordination
• Stiffness in the limbs and torso
• Slower, more labored movements

No Cause, No Cure
Parkinson’s isn’t a fatal disease, but its progression can make it impossible to work and function normally. It can lead to life-threatening complications if a patient catches something like pneumonia. Currently, the cause is unknown, and there is no cure, but recent research has uncovered a possible genetic and environmental links.

Treatment Options
Symptoms can be treated and managed with medications and surgeries that stimulate the affected areas of the brain may help. The most popular medication is Levadopa, which is converted to dopamine in the brain and helps to restore lost brain functioning.

Natural supplements have also shown promise. Antioxidants, such as Coenzyme-Q10, are being researched due to their role in the health of mitochondria, the part of the cells that may play an important role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. Vitamin E is being hailed for its ability to fight damaging free radicals, which may also damage the cells that release dopamine in the brain. Additionally, a deficiency in Vitamin C may be linked to an increased incidence of Parkinson’s, so supplementation or eating Vitamin-C rich fruits and vegetables is something to consider. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant, and may prevent nerve cells from become damaged.

Much has been learned about Parkinson’s since my Grandpa’s diagnosis in the mid-1980’s, and even since his death. If you or someone you know suffers from this disease, my hope is that the new research and developments will help ease your pain and the pain of your loved ones, and that you will be able to continue to live life to its fullest.

And that’s all I have to say about that. Love you, Grandpa.