Parkinson’s is the second most prevalent neurological disease in Europe, after Alzheimer’s. It is a progressive neurological disorder, caused by a loss of a chemical called dopamine, which controls movement. We all lose this as we age, but people with Parkinson’s have lost it at a faster rate.

Scientists believe that a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are the cause of Parkinson’s Disease. It affects people very differently, but some of the common traits are described here.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s. There have however been significant improvements in the treatment of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease in the last 20 years. Treatments include drug therapy, surgery, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Like so many neurological conditions, each person is affected differently both in the symptoms suffered and their rate of progression.

The motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s are:

• tremor
• stiffness
• slowness
• gait disturbance / balance impairment

Non-motor symptoms are sometimes not identified as being related to Parkinson’s. They may develop years before motor symptoms and before a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. They include:

• anxiey and depression
• fatigue
• low blood pressure
• memory problems
• continence issues

• Risk increases with age
• Affects men more than women
• Parkinson’s is hard to diagnose, and may only be confirmed after many doctor visits
• There is no standard treatment. As the symptoms vary so much between individuals, so also will the treatment regime.