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- ABOUT - DRUGS

PARKINSON'S DISEASE PATIENT INFORMATION

Parkinson's Disease - what is it?
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressing "movement disorder". It affects the brain and nervous system. It is named after James Parkinson who first observed the disease in 1817.

Who gets Parkinson's Disease?
It occurs more commonly amongst older people. One in every hundred people over 50 have PD. Younger adults can also be affected.

What are the effects?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive illness with a gradual loss of brain cells in the substantia nigra, an area at the base of the brain. These cells make a natural chemical called dopamine which helps us with smooth movement. In PD, not enough dopamine is made causing shakiness, stiff muscles and slow difficult movements.

What causes it?
The cause is unknown. It is unlikely that your children will contract Parkinson's disease.

What happens to people with PD?
In the early stages of PD most people just feel tired. They often have a tremor and may have a stiff or painful arm or leg. It may be harder than usual to write or type. It may also be harder to walk quickly, or keep balanced. The sense of smell may be lost. Over time however, the stiffness, slowness and tremor tend to get worse. No one can tell how slow or rapid this worsening will be.

PD does not lead to strokes, blindness or Alzheimer's disease.

Is there a test for PD?
No. The diagnosis rests on an examination by the doctor. Some blood and x-ray tests may be used to make sure PD isn't being confused with something else.

Treatment
There is as yet no cure for PD. However, there are many drugs which help control the symptoms. These drugs help replace the dopamine that the body can no longer make. Often in mild PD there is no treatment needed apart from keeping fit and eating well. If your lifestyle is affected it is almost certain that drugs will help. Your doctor will need to check you regularly.

Who can help?
Early on, you may only need to be treated by the GP, often with some help from a specialist. Other people with PD and family members have joined together to form the Parkinson's Association. There are offices in each capital city. New members are always welcome.

This information has been produced as a guide only. It is recommended that further information on Parkinson's disease be obtained form your GP or local Parkinson's Association in each state or territory.

SOME INTERNET SITES
World Wide Parkinson's Web: http://pdweb.mgh.harvard.edu
Awakenings (developed by Roche): http ://www.parkinsonsdisease.com
National Parkinson Foundation (US): http://www.parkinson.org/
American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Archives: http://www.terminus.com/~gjohnson
Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom: http://glaxocentre.merseyside.org/pds.html
Parkinson's Association of WA Inc: http://www.quartec.com.au/parkinsons
Parkinson's Queensland Inc: http://www.Parkinsons-Qld.org
Parkinson's Information Exchange - a Toronto based discussion group.
To join, send an Email message to the following address:
listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca
in the body of the message type : SUBscribe PARKINSN Your last name.

Produced for: Parkinson’s Association of WA Inc, 320 Rokeby Road, SUBIACO WA 6008