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Nearly one million Americans live with Parkinson’s – more than Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and Muscular Dystrophy combined. Over 20,000 Wisconsinites have been diagnosed with the disease.

Parkinson disease is a movement disorder, characterized by four key motor symptoms: tremor, muscle rigidity and stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination. As you know, PD is much more than just a movement disorder. Non-motor symptoms of this disease may include dementia or confusion, fatigue, sleep disturbances and depression.

While the disease process may begin years earlier, the average age of diagnosis for PD is 60, but many individuals are diagnosed in their 50s and 40s, or even younger. It is estimated that 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year.

Like many other neurological disorders, the causes of PD are not known, but both environmental and genetic factors are thought to be involved. There currently is no cure for PD, but numerous medications and other treatment options are available to improve symptoms and the quality of life for people with this disease and the increased pace of new research offers great hope for future treatment and a cure.

We invite you to use the month of April to reach out to the people around you. Talk about your disease. It isn’t always easy, but many people don’t understand what a person with Parkinson’s goes through every day.

Connect with WPA on how to get involved in the work we are doing. Join us for an educational program or find a support or exercise group in your area.

PD is a movement disorder… so let’s join together and GET MOVING!

WPA & You: Moving Forward Together.