Parkinson’s disease indicates a neurodegenerative disorder affecting predominately various dopamine-producing neurons in particular brain areas known commonly as substantia nigra.
Symptoms in this case develop generally slow for many years. In addition, progression of various symptoms is slightly different among different persons because of the diversity prevails in the disease. People suffering from Parkinson’s disease problem usually deal with-
Tremor usually while taking rest and pill rolling type of tremor in the hands. However, the patients may even deal with other tremor forms, which are-
- Slow body movements.
- Rigidity in limbs.
- Problems in balance of body and gait.
Main reason behind the Parkinson’s disease problem is entirely unknown. Despite no cure is available until now, treatment options in case of Parkinson’s disease may vary largely, which may include surgical procedures and medications. The problem itself is not a dreadful one; its complications may sometimes become serious.
What is the Average Age To Get Parkinson’s Disease?
Based on the detailed healthcare and medical research, doctors have identified that the problem of Parkinson’s disease occurs usually during the age of 60 years averagely and the incidence of the problem increases consistently and that too in a significant manner with the increase in age.
However, in some of the cases i.e. in 5% to 10% people experience Early-Onset or Young Onset of Parkinson’s disease, which starts during 50 years age. Early onset of the problem sometimes inherited and few of them have links to the specific genetic mutations.
Parkinson’s Disease – Younger Than or Equal to 50 Years Age
As mentioned before, YOPD i.e. Young Onset Parkinson’s disease takes place in individuals equal to or younger than 50 years age. Most of the people dealing with typical Parkinson’s disease or idiopathic Parkinson’s disease problem develops symptoms during 50 years age or older than that.
YOPD affects about 2% to 10% of the total one million Parkinson’s disease patients in different areas of the United States. Symptoms are almost similar to late onset problem; however, it is very much essential to understand various challenges faced by YOPD patients in their families, financial and employment levels.
YOPD Diagnosis and Symptoms
Doctors diagnose the problem of YOPD in more or less similar way as that of late onset Parkinson’s disease and the symptoms include-
- Tremors in arms, hands, face and jaws.
- Rigidity in the trunk and limbs.
- Slowness in the body movement.
- Postural instability or impairing in balance as well as coordination.
People dealing with YOPD deal with similar type of non-motor symptoms, as similar to other people dealing with Parkinson’s disease. These include sleeping disturbances, depression, urinary problems, constipation and changes in thinking as well as memory. In case of diagnosing with YOPD or Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease, it is very much essential for seeking treatment from any neurologist or a movement disorder specialist with movement disorders expertise. Treatment for each person is of unique and requires fine adjustments associated with multiple medications.
Juvenile Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease in Teen Ages
In rare instances, Parkinson’s disease symptoms may appear in teen-age people and in children. This type of disorder refers to Juvenile Parkinsonism and it has close association with high-risk and specific Parkinson’s disease genetic mutations.
The onset Juvenile Parkinsonism before 21 years age is comparatively rare type of symptom, which takes place because of a group of various heterogeneous entities may present with clinical pictures containing similarity with the idiopathic Parkinson’s disease or manifest Parkinsonism as spectrum containing different signs further.
Diagnostic testing is as per the present symptoms and aim to uncover potentially treatable or reversible causes. In case of finding any underlying condition, doctors tailor the treatment accordingly.
On the other hand, treatment is of symptomatic and it relies on common medications available for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease problem. Patients dealing with Juvenile Parkinson’s disease tend to plague with treatment-induced diseases/complications, because of which patients should make sure to employ the necessary cautions beforehand.
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