Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder affecting learned voluntary movements such as walking, talking, writing and swallowing. There are three main symptoms: tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). However not everyone will experience all three symptoms. Parkinson’s results from the loss of the chemical messenger dopamine, within the centre of the movement in the mid-brain. The cause is as yet unidentified and there is no known cure. Parkinson’s is not inherited nor is it contagious.

The incidence in the population is about 1:500 in the general population, rising to 1:100 over the age of 65 and 1:50 over the age of 80. A little recognised fact is that 1:20 people diagnosed are aged under 40. There are now more than 120,000 people with Parkinson’s in the UK today and it is common in all parts of the world.

The main treatment for Parkinson’s is drug therapy. Because no two people are exactly alike, the drug treatment has to be tailored to the individual and the timing of medication is as important as the dosage. With the optimum drug treatment, life expectancy for Parkinson’s is normal. Surgical techniques are also being researched. Management plays a very important part in the care of people with Parkinson’s and professions such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy have an important role to play.

Help for carers is vitally important.

For fuller information about Parkinson's disease, the UK Parkinson's Disease Society website has an excellent series of fact sheets.