World Parkinson's Day More and more illnesses

World Parkinson's Day: diseases in Germany are rising

04/10/2013

The neurological disorder Parkinson could develop into a German widespread disease. 280,000 Germans are already affected and the number is increasing. On World Parkinson's Day tomorrow, April 11, the disease should be made aware.

Incurable disease
Parkinson's, one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, is not curable. It is characterized by major limitations in the ability to move of those affected and begins creeping, but then progresses throughout life. As the symptoms increase as they progress, they can be better recognized. Early signs can be, for example, the reduced and later missing swinging of an arm while walking. Often it comes to shoulder blade pain and unilateral muscle tension. In the early stages, Parkinson's can be detected with a nose smell test.

Demographic development increases number of diseases
Although there are no reliable figures, there are currently about 280,000 cases of Parkinson's disease known throughout Germany. Due to the demographic development, however, the disease is about to develop into a new widespread disease, according to the CEO of the German Parkinson Association, Magdalene Kaminski. "Each year, about 13,000 new diseases are added," experts estimate.

Even younger people are at risk
The first symptoms usually occur between the ages of 50 and 60 years. However, it is stated that "eight to twelve percent of patients are only 40 years old or younger". If Parkinson's disease is diagnosed early, it can "be treated so well now that the disease is significantly slowed down." Many of the patients, their relatives, as well as attending physicians and other experts, have joined together to form various associations to become active together.

World Parkinson's Disease Day
Tomorrow, 11 April, experts will be providing information about the causes and treatment options of the disease nationwide and worldwide, named after the physician James Parkinson, who first described the symptoms in 1817. (Ad)

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Picture: Lupo