OCEAN SPRINGS, Mich. (WLOX) – Approximately 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease, according to research. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease in which brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical needed for movement, are gradually lost.
This disease is the second most prevalent disease after Alzheimer’s disease.
Organizer Nancy Carstens, who is also an ambassador for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, said: “We know that dopamine deficiency is environmental and can be genetic.” “About 10 to 15 percent of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have some genetic link, but in other cases it may be environmental, such as exposure to pesticides or industrial chemicals. Another environmental problem that has been linked is repeated head injuries.
Carstens has a personal connection to Parkinson’s disease, as her husband was diagnosed with the disease three years ago and his father also had the disease.
However, there is no single test for Parkinson’s disease.
Doctors make a diagnosis based on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and physical exam.
“There is no cure,” Carstens said. “While there are medications that can help with symptoms, one of the reasons this day is called travel day is because the best thing you can do if you have any form of Parkinson’s disease is exercise.”
Events like the Moving Day Walk help the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation create better lives for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research.
“People with Parkinson’s disease who are hospitalized tend to have very poor outcomes, which is why the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation is developing a new inpatient treatment initiative,” she explained. “They have very strict medication regimens and they don’t always get their medication on time. They don’t always get the movement they need.”
Dr. Carstens says there are 10 early signs of Parkinson’s disease: tremors, loss of smell, difficulty moving or walking, small print, trouble sleeping, masked face, constipation, and dizziness. or fainting, stooping or hunching, and having a small or deep voice.
These may not be signs when presented alone, but when combined they can lead to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Additional walks aren’t the only opportunities she gets throughout the year to help with research. Because she’s also planning to host some smaller fundraisers.
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