Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.
According to the NHS, it is thought around one in 500 people are affected by the disease, meaning an estimated 127,000 people in the UK have it.
Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, treatments are available to help reduce symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.
The main symptoms affect physical movement, including experiencing tremors, slow movement and stiff muscles.
Other symptoms include depression and anxiety, balance problems, loss of smell, insomnia and memory problems.
The symptoms usually develop gradually and are mild at first. However, as the condition progresses, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can get worse and it can become increasingly difficult to carry out everyday activities without assistance.
So, is the disease fatal?
According to the NHS, many people respond well to treatment and only experience mild to moderate disability.
However, a minority of sufferers may not respond as well and can, in time, become more severely disabled.
“Parkinson’s disease doesn’t directly cause people to die, but the condition can place great strain on the body, and can make some people more vulnerable to serious and life-threatening infections,” said the NHS.
“However, with advances in treatment, most people with Parkinson’s disease now have a normal or near-normal life expectancy.”
Treatments for Parkinson’s disease include supportive therapy such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, medication, and in some cases, brain surgery.
Physiotherapists help sufferers of the disease to relieve muscle stiffness and joint pain through movement and exercise.
The aim is to make moving easier and improve walking and flexibility.
Occupational therapists identify areas of difficulty in everyday life, such as getting dressed or getting to the local shops.
They help work out practical solutions and ensure the home is safe and properly set up, aiming to help sufferers maintain independence for as long as possible.
Speech and language therapists will teach speaking and swallowing exercises, in order to help sufferers with speech and swallowing difficulties.
Medication can also be provided to improve movement problems. The three main types are levodopa, dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors.
In some cases, sufferers of Parkinson’s disease may receive a type of surgery called deep brain stimulation.
Deep brain stimulation involves surgically implanting a pulse generator, which is connected to one or two fine wires placed under the skin, and is inserted precisely into specific areas in the brain.
