WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

​Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease that destroys the cells in the mid brain which produce "dopamine," one of the chemicals that transmits movement control signals.

When approximately 80% of these cells no longer produce dopamine, one or more of PD's primary movement symptoms begin to appear: resting tremor; slowness of movement; stiffness; and/or gait or balance problems. Other symptoms such as small cramped handwriting, lack of arm swing, and decreased facial expression may appear.  

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It is estimated that some people with PD may also experience symptoms such as depression, anxiety attacks, or cognitive impairment. In addition, certain functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system may become affected, such as respiratory, blood pressure, and gastrointestinal. Every patient is different and may not experience all of the above symptoms.

As of today, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. However, exercise, holistic practices, medications, medical procedures, and other options are available for relief and symptom mitigation. As research goes on and until there is a cure, people with Parkinson's and their

carepartners are highly encouraged to advocate for their own well-being and seek support.

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