Parkinson’s Awareness Month is in April and is a time to raise awareness about this disease, its symptoms, and its impact on individuals and their families. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, speech, and other motor skills. It affects over 10 million people worldwide and is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s. FirstLantic explores the cause, current treatments, and ways you can get involved to help find a cure.

 

Cause of Parkinson’s 

When dopamine-producing neurons in the brain die, it causes Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control movement and emotional responses. When these neurons die, dopamine levels drop, causing symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and slowness of movement. Other non-motor symptoms may include depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive changes.

 

Current Treatments

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, treatments are available to manage the symptoms. Medications like levodopa can help replace the lost dopamine and improve movement. Physical, speech, and occupational therapy can also help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their mobility, communication, and daily activities.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate people about how this disease impacts individuals and their families. It’s also a time to raise research funds to understand the condition better, develop new treatments, and ultimately find a cure.

 

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in Parkinson’s Awareness Month. One way is to participate in fundraising events, such as walks, runs, or other activities. These events raise money for research, education, and support services for people with Parkinson’s and their families. Another way to get involved is to share information about this disease on social media or in your community to raise awareness about the disease and its impact and provide information about resources and support available to those affected. If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s disease, seeking support from healthcare providers, support groups, and other resources is essential. Although it can be a complex disease to live with every day, the proper care and support can enable people with Parkinson’s to maintain their quality of life and continue to participate in daily activities.

 

In conclusion, Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to bring attention to Parkinson’s disease and its impact on individuals and their families. By educating others, participating in fundraising events, and sharing information, we can all help to improve the lives of those affected by this disease and work towards finding a cure.

 

If you or someone you know needs help with home healthcare services in South Florida, FirstLantic can help. We are locally owned and operated, providing our patients with the highest quality in-home care and placement services in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and Delray Beach (Palm Beach County) since 2000. Click here to contact us.

 

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