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Check Out Reasons for honoring Parkinson's awareness month
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and the ability to think. It can cause tremors, stiffness, or slowness in your body movements. The symptoms may be mild at first but worsen over time.
Whether you're affected or infected by this condition, it's essential to honor awareness month for people with Parkinson's disease. It all starts by understanding the basics of the disease and later what you can do about it.
Medical content reviewed by Dr Eric Jackson-Scott MD, Chief Medical Officer 
Parkinson's disease; What is it?
According to the National Institute on Aging, more than 900,000 Americans are living with Parkinson's disease. This number has been increasing and is expected to be more than 1.2 million by 2030. I
The costs of Parkinson's disease
There are many physical costs associated with having Parkinson's disease. These include:
• Tremor
• Rigidity
• Slowing down
• Difficulty walking
• Balance problems
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Dementia
In addition to these physical issues, there are also mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, hallucinations, delusions, apathy, irritability, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairment.
Increasing prevalence of the disease
Although the exact causes of Parkinson's disease aren't known yet, researchers believe genetics play a role. According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies suggest environmental factors like pesticides and heavy metals could trigger the onset of the disease. Other research suggests exposure to certain viruses could lead to Parkinson's disease. It's expected that the prevalence of the disease will increase by 2.5% in the next 10 years.
Honor Parkinson’s awareness month
With basic information on the disease's effects, financial, mental, and physical, its importance becomes clear. If you have someone close to you who has Parkinson's disease, here are ways you can show them support during April.
1) Donate Money to Research
If you want to donate money to research, consider donating through organizations like the Michael J Fox Foundation. Actor Michael J Fox founded MJFF after he learned his son had inherited the gene mutation responsible for causing PD. Since then, MJFF has raised millions of dollars to fund medical research into finding treatments and cures for Parkinson's disease.
2) Support Patients' Families
When people receive news that they've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, they usually feel overwhelmed. That's why it's so important to provide emotional support to those around them.
3) Be an Advocate
It takes courage to speak up against injustice. When you see something wrong happening, say something! Whether you're talking to a friend, teacher, or anyone else, being vocal about injustices helps others realize that not everyone thinks alike. Being an advocate means speaking out against discrimination, racism, sexism, etc.
4) Spread Knowledge About Parkinson's Disease
Many people still think that only older adults get Parkinson's disease. This is not the case. It's for this reason that spreading awareness about the disease is crucial. By educating yourself about what symptoms to look for, you'll be better equipped to spot early signs of the illness.
5) Get Involved With Your Local Community
Parkinson's disease affects all ages, races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and political affiliations. However, if you notice any differences between groups within society, let your voice be heard.
Conclusion
As more people learn about the disease, there will hopefully be less stigma surrounding it. In turn, this will allow individuals suffering from the condition to receive proper treatment sooner rather than later. As long as we continue to work together towards these goals, we can ensure our community remains safe and healthy.
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