Ep 1: What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

The World Health Organization reports that the number of people with Parkinson's disease has doubled over the past 25 years, estimating over 8.5 million individuals living with Parkinson's globally. (1)

Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition which is often associated with tremors, imbalance and rigidity, but it affects every person differently. 

In this first episode of the Parkinson’s Disease Podcast, we’ll start with the basics: 

• What is Parkinson’s Disease? 
• Who is at risk of developing Parkinson’s?
• What are some early signs of the condition? 

We’ll also hear what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s disease from those diagnosed.

For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com

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Resources

What is Parkinson’s?

• Webinar on recognising the early signs of Parkinson’s - Parkinson’s Foundation
• Other parkinsonion conditions - Parkinson’s Foundation
• Genetic causes of Parkinson’s - Michael J Fox Foundation
• Webinar on sleep disorders and acting out dreams - Michael J Fox Foundation 

Terms Mentioned

• Dopamine - WebMD
• Tremor and Resting Tremor - Parkinson's Foundation
• Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder - Mayo Clinic 
• Olfactory nerve - nerve relating to the sense of smell
• Hoehn & Yahr staging - Parkinson's Foundation
• Axial symptoms - these include symptoms such as walking disorders, posture disorders, and speech and swallowing disorders

Helpline

• Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline - 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636)

Podcast

• Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s Podcast

Community Group

• PD Avengers

Guests’ Books 

• Ending Parkinson’s Disease: a Prescription for Action by Ray Dorsey MD, Todd Sherer PhD, Michael S. Okun MD and Bastiaan R. Bloem MD PhD 

References

• (1) https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief

Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here.

This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global.

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