Did you know that April is Parkinson’s disease (PD) Awareness Month? Every April, doctors, patients, families, hospitals, and foundations raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease.
Test your knowledge of Parkinson’s disease during Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Do you think you know a lot about Parkinson’s? There are a lot of resources available to make life better for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Events and Resources
Parkinson’s Disease Events and ResourcesPD Events
Some of the events the Parkinson’s Foundation has planned include:
- Mindfulness Mondays — Mantra for Stress Relief (Zoom presentation)
- Living with Parkinson’s: What You and Your Family Should Know (virtual presentation)
- Early Onset Parkinson’s: Strategies to Live Well (virtual presentation)
- Lunes de Atencion Plena — Mindfulness Mondays en Espanol (Zoom presentation)
- Miercoles de Bienestar — Wellness Wednesdays en Espanol (virtual event)
- Veterans and PD: Social Connection and Empowerment (virtual program)
- Women and PD (virtual presentation)
April PD events can be found at https://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/events
PD Podcats
The Parkinson’s Foundation also offers podcasts called “Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s” throughout April. Dan Keller, PhD, interviews Parkinson’s experts about treatments and techniques that can help patients live a better life. Episodes focus on a range of topics, including new levodopa delivery methods, exercise, clinical trials, nutrition, and more! Podcasts are available in English and Spanish in the PD library at https://www.parkinson.org/resources-support/pd-library
PD Library
The Parkinson’s disease Library is an extensive collection of books, fact sheets, videos, and more. Visit the PD library at https://www.parkinson.org/pd-library
What Is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain. and a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Symptoms develop slowly over years. People with PD may experience:
• Tremor in hands
• Slow movement
• Stiffness in arms and legs
• Balance problems
10 Early Signs of Parkinson’s
1. Have you noticed a slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand, or chin?
2. Has your handwriting gotten much smaller than it was in the past?
3. Do you have trouble moving your bowels without straining every day?
4. Have you noticed you no longer smell certain foods very well?
5. Do you thrash around in bed or act out dreams when you are asleep?
6. Do you notice that you often feel dizzy when you go from sitting down to standing up?
7. Are you not standing up as straight as you used to?
8. Do you feel stiff in your body, arms, or legs? Have others noticed that one or both of your arms doesn’t swing as it used to when you walk?
9. Have you been told that you have a serious, depressed, or mad look on your face, even when you are not in a bad mood?
10. Have other people told you that your voice is very soft or that you sound hoarse?
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatment options vary and include medications and surgery. Approximately one million people have Parkinson’s in the United. Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder that affects mostly 65 years of age and older. Although 1 out of every 10 people with the disease is younger than 45.
Parkinson’s Specialists
It is possible to have a good quality of life with Parkinson’s. Working with your doctor and following recommended therapies are essential in successfully treating symptoms. First Choice Neurology is the largest neurology group in the United States with more than 41 facilities in 6 Florida counties and services at 35 major hospitals. We currently have 24 adult neurologists who specialize in Parkinson’s disease.