Archive of facts is collected from PD In The Know weekly sidebar.
More people live with Parkinson’s in the United States than the number of people living with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) combined.
Men are 1 ½ times more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s than women.
A tremor is a common symptom associated with Parkinson’s. However, 80% of people with PD do not have tremors. ~ American Parkinson Disease Association
James Parkinson, a London doctor, published “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy” in 1817.
Up to 50% of people with Parkinson’s will experience some cognitive changes such as forgetfulness, slower mental processing and multi-tasking trouble.
Small and cramped handwriting known as micrographia is a classic symptom of Parkinson’s.
The only thing predictable about Parkinson’s is its unpredictability.
A movement disorder specialist is a neurologist with additional training in Parkinson’s and other movement disorders and may also be more familiar with current research and treatment options.
An electric tooth brush can maximize brushing benefits especially if your fine motor movement skills are affected by PD.
Exercise is medicine for the brain. ~ Dr. Sarah King
Dry eyes can be a non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s caused by decreased blinking.
Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension causes your blood pressure to drop significantly when you stand up quickly and can be a symptom of Parkinson’s.
The majority of Parkinson’s patients have reduced sense of smell, and it often occurs years before the onset of motor symptoms.
Retropulsion is an involuntary tendency to walk, step, or fall backwards caused by balance disturbance.
Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep are very common in people living with Parkinson’s.
Fox Trial Finder is a clinical trial matching tool to help Parkinson’s patients find research trials including web-based. https://foxtrialfinder.michaeljfox.org/
Rest tremor is a slow, uncontrollable shake in your fingers, hands, arms, legs, lips, or chin when resting or relaxing and typically disappears with voluntary movement.
Rigidity refers to muscle stiffness or tightness felt in limbs, neck or trunk. Rigidity makes movement slower and the risk for falls increases. It can be unrecognized as a symptom of PD and attributed to past injuries, old age, rotator cuff issue or arthritis.
