World Parkinson’s Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition, while also raising funds to continue research into a possible cure. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological condition that affects a person’s control of their body movements. Twenty-five Australians are diagnosed every day, with approximately 80,000 Australians currently living with the condition.
The average age of diagnosis is 65 years, however younger people can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s too. This is referred to as Young Onset Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s results from the loss of cells in various parts of the brain. When dopamine production is depleted, the motor system nerves are unable to control movement and coordination. The dopamine producing cells are lost over a period of years and the motor type symptoms such as tremor, rigidity etc will start to appear. Generally people diagnosed with Parkinson’s have had it for some time without realising and are only diagnosed when 80% of the dopamine producing cells are lost and the motor type symptoms appear.
It is not easy to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. There are no laboratory tests (such as a blood test or brain scan) so it is important that the diagnosis is made by a specialist, such as a neurologist. The specialist will examine for any physical signs of Parkinson’s and take a detailed history of symptoms.
