What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinsonu2019s is a neurological disease that causes some of the nerve cells in the brain that produce a chemical called dopamine have died. Not having enough dopamine in the body causes people to have difficulty controlling their movement. The three main motor symptoms of Parkinsonu2019s are rigidity, slowness of movement, and rest tremor. People with Parkinsonu2019s also experience non-motor symptoms such as fatigue, pain, memory problems, depression, constipation, and more. The non-motor symptoms have a large impact on the daily lives of individuals with Parkinsonu2019s. Parkinsonu2019s worsens over time, and it is challenging to predict its progression. On average, from diagnosis to the end of palliative care is about 14 years. Treatment and medication can manage symptoms but become less effective over time. There is no cure for Parkinsonu2019s. Symptoms vary from person to person and progress at different rates, and no two patients will follow the same routine. Symptoms may be noticeable one day and not the next.