Who Gets Parkinson's Disease? by Roger Overanout

• Parkinsons Disease affects generally elder adults, among about 90% of the known cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 60.
• Within that population, there is a small amount of variance, with the danger increasing from age 60 through age 75, and then going down sharply.
• Currently, Parkinsons Disease is known to affect about 3% of the population over the age of 65. With present statistics and the probable aging of the population, authorities think that that percentage will double in the next 40 years.
• When those with mild symptoms of Parkinsons (symptoms of Parkinson's Disease that may be caused by other things, or could develop into Parkinson's Disease), those numbers increase dramatically. 15% of those between the ages of 60 and 74 have been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. Between the ages of 75 and 84, that percentage rises to almost 30%.
• However, when you look at it in terms of inception of symptoms, the picture changes. Fewer than 10% of new cases of Parkinsons disease are diagnosed in younger adults - under age 40. The majority of new diagnoses of Parkinson's disease are made between the ages of 60 and 75. After age 85, the danger of developing Parkinson's Disease then seems to fall off dramatically.

What are the factors that effect diagnoses?

1. Gender
   Men appear to be at greater risk of developing Parkinsons Disease than women. Men have to deal with about double the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease as women in any age group. Scientists think that estrogens may play a function in protecting the body from the chemical changes that occur in Parkinsons Disease. This is further borne out by two facts - women who've had hysterectomies have a somewhat higher rate of Parkinsons Disease, and women who've had estrogen replacement therapy have a lower rate of Parkinson's Disease than other women their age.
   Parkinsons Disease seems to growth more quickly in men than women according to one study, and another found a difference in the way that symptoms present. Men are more prone to rigidity and tremor, and women more at danger from gait disturbance and shuffling.
   
2. Ethnicity
   Caucasians have a higher danger of developing Parkinsons Disease than either African Americans or Asian Americans. People of European descent appear most prone to usual Parkinsons Disease, but some studies hint at that non-Caucasians may be more at risk for a particular type of non-typical Parkinson is that causes a disturbance in judgment.
   
3. Heredity
   In a small percentage of cases, family history may play a part in the inception of Parkinsons Disease. People who have parents or brothers and sisters who had young-onset Parkinson's Disease, in which symptoms develop before the age of 40, are more probable to develop Parkinson's Disease than others their age. When Parkinson's Disease was diagnosed at older ages, family history looks like it's to play no part.
   
4. Cigarette Smokers
   Oddly, cigarette smokers appear to have a diminished incidence of Parkinsons Disease, which has led researchers to explore the probability that nicotine may give some protection from the fluctuations caused by Parkinsons Disease. They are quick to point out that the other health problems associated with cigarette smoking are far too significant to think cigarette smoking as a way to avoid getting Parkinsons Disease.
   
5. Coffee Drinkers
   Caffeine also seems to have a protective result against Parkinson's Disease. A study of Japanese-American men suggested that those who commonly drank coffee ran a lesser risk of developing Parkinsons Disease than other men their age. The more coffee they consumed, the lower the risk.

To find a host of tips and information on all aspects of Parkinsons Disease visit www.parkinsonsdiseaseadvisor.com

Why is Parkinson's disease difficult to diagnose? by Roger Overanout

While Parkinsons disease has very distinctive features, it is rather a difficult disease to identify, particularly while it is in its early stages.

Unfortunately there are no precise tests, which doctors can do to establish an exact diagnosis of Parkinsons disease and regrettably especially in its early stages it might be mistaken for other diseases. If and when this happens, it delays or prevents the appropriate action being administered in the quickest feasible time.

The trouble with diagnosing Parkinsons disease accurately is just that the symptoms are not always as clear as doctors would like them to be, Actually there are suggestions that up to 25% of those people presently being treated for Parkinson's disease might have been wrongly diagnosed and are thus getting inappropriate treatment.

Generally patients that are suspected of suffering from Parkinsons disease are given tests to guarantee they are certainly not suffering from an illness that can be diagnosed using common methods such as CT scanning, urine sampling X-ray and blood tests etc. However just because these tests may have an inconclusive answer, it doesn't always mean the person is definitely suffering from Parkinsons disease. Regrettably some doctors think this is the case, and will automatically offer a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Tests that can be carried out to test for Parkinsons disease involve systematic neurological assessments that comprise testing the person's reflexes, balance, muscle strength walk and common movement. Because there are a range of neurological disorders that have similar characteristics to Parkinsons disease, it's not very surprising that Parkinson's disease is so regularly misdiagnosed. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, it doesn't always hurt to ask your doctor for a second opinion or even better to request to be referred to a physician who specialises in this kind of disease.

An early accurate diagnosis of Parkinsons disease is normally the key to the sufferer being able to preserve their independence and a decent quality of life for fairly a long time.
Some neurological conditions that are regularly confused with Parkinsons disease include: - Multiple system atrophy
Supranuclear palsy
Benign Essential Tremor Multiple Sclerosis
Huntington's disease
Striato-Nigral Degeneration
Brain tumour
Remaining as independent as feasible is vital to the wellbeing of most sufferers of Parkinson's disease, and ensuring the symptoms are kept to a minimum by both an accurate diagnosis and treatment is the key to achieving this.

To find a host of tips and information on all aspects of Parkinsons Disease visit www.parkinsonsdiseaseadvisor.com

How to Support the Patient's Family

Through my 30 years experience of the parkinsons disease, I feel that the below will help the patient's family:-

• Visit the family often. Ask how's the condition. This will boost the morale. By being there, the family won't feel isolated and lonely. Besides morale, the family will feel more intouch with outside world.
  
• If the patient is in the hospital visit them as soon as possible. It is important to let the family knows that you care .
  
• Listen to them .They always gets frustrated and distress.
  
• Help to take over a few simple chores such as paying bills or goes groccery shopping.
  
• Help out on everyday task such as pick up the kids from school or wash the dishes.

There is no monetary returns but it will lessen the family's burden.Life is just like a wheel. Today is their day and we don't know when is our turn.

God is Great and you will be rewarded.

Parkinsons Disease Family- Don't Forget Them

Not only the patient but the family need support and care too. They got burn out in term of energy and financially.

If you know any Parkinsons disease patient ,please give their support whatever you can afford -time,moral or money .

How do i know ? ....Because my father has Parkinson since 30 years ago. He is now 70 years old .As he was a top corporate man ,he had many friends and a lot of "relatives" .It is a 360*degree change today as he has only us -the family . Even his brothers and sisters try to keep distance from him .
The sad thing happens last week when his brother inlaw called my mom and said ," Good news for you and your family "
My mom ask what is it.
He continues."Well , there is this hospital that can operate the patient's brain and it can cure from the disease so it is a good news and your husband can a normal person".

While maybe his intention is good but the fact is he thinks that we do not do anything but sitting around since 30 years ago. He think that we are stupid and when we see the specialist , we did not ask the options available .
The fact is we did ask the doctor about this operation 10 years ago when he still cn walk. It is not new .

Imagine , this is just one comment. There are a lot of these unwanted comments to the patient's family due to the public misunderstood on the disease.

Let's alone financially. We are lucky because we have family business and good staffsto take care of the business . The patient need nursing and this will cost the family's time . Wife has to sacrifice her job just to take care of her husband. .....and the nursing still cost money as adult diapers, medicines etc are not FREE. In addition to the normal overhead cost such as food and utilities.

In Asia or Malaysia specifically ,there are a lot of patients' family struggling with the disease . They need our help.That's why I put up the donation button through paypal. They need a lot of our support. I just feel that even giving them a pack of diapers( will cost US10 packetof 10) will make their family happy.This is your choice and not a compulsary. You can donate yourself directly to the family at your hometown without us .The message is please help the family.

Coming soon , I will tell you on how to take care the patient's family.

How do you know you have Parkinsons Disease?

Nobody's know what is the cause of Parkinson's Disease but below are the signs that you may have the disease:-

1. You find difficulty to stand up from your chair or a car seat.
2. Your muscle is so stiff and hand start to tremors.
3. Usually the disease start to affect one side of body - left or right.
4. You start to fall often when walking.
5. When walking, you are so lazy to swing your arm.
6. People start to comment you have a blank face - No Expression. Check out your recent picture.
7. You find that to sign a check or letter is a burden to you.
8. If you drive , cars behind you keep on honking you because of your slowness.
9. You have difficulty to brush your teeth or button your shirt.
10. You have become more quite and less cheerful . Your laugh is also not as loud as before.

Well , if you have any or combination of the above signs, do not worry . See your GP to ask to refer you to a neouro specialist .Parkinsons disease is a progressive disease and not fatal . With the advancement of the modern medicines, it will slow the disease's progress.

Parkinsons Disease -Jail In Your Own Body

This is the exact description on Parkinson Disease.

Hello, my name is Eddie . My father is a patient of Parkinson Disease since 30 years ago .I understand the disease through my father's suffering.

It is a brain disease that affects mostly the the elderly people and leads to slowness of movement , uncontrollable trembling of hands ,legs shakings and body stiffness .

Imagine , you can't do simple basic chores on your own - such as button your own shirt, eating , taking own shower , driving or even walking. To make thing worse if the patient is a diabetic patient which has a high cause of blindness.

Imgine this is your life - Blind sick old man .........add on Blind Poor Sick Old Man .

This what Parkinson's Disease will do to an innocent patient. What about their family?