Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism is a progressive degenerative disorder. The most common symptoms are tremor, muscular stiffness, and slowness of movement. Although there are different types of parkinsonism, the most common condition today is the one first recognized in 1817, by James Parkinson, referred to as idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

While experts agree symptoms are primarily due to a deficiency of the brain chemical, dopamine, they are uncertain as to why the nerve cells containing dopamine die. Parkinson's disease is not contagious.

The incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age and affects both men and women across all ethnic lines. An estimated 1.5 million people in the United State are afflicted with this disease and more are being diagnosed daily. As you age, you will either know of someone affected by Parkinson’s disease or be directly impacted by Parkinson’s yourself.