Parkinson’s Awareness Month – Check your Predisposition
Parkinson’s disease is a movement and mood disorder that affects more than 10 million people worldwide. After Alzheimer’s disease, it is the second most common neuro degenerative disease on earth. Around 4 in every 1000 Australians is affected by Parkinson’s disease, with 1 in 100 of those being over the age of 60. The range of symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease varies, but can include tremors, slowness of movement, being unstable on your feet, difficulty with multitasking, fatigue, anxiety and depression. So, what causes Parkinson’s? Sadly, there is no definitive known cause, and in many cases, there is no family history. Research has revealed that possible causes can include environmental triggers such as toxins, pesticides and chemicals, head trauma, genetic factors, or a combination of these.
Parkinson’s has been a recognized medical condition since 1817, when Dr. James Parkinson published his essay ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.’ From this, Parkinson’s Awareness Month is held in April each year, with World Parkinson’s Day recognised on 11 April, which was the birthday of Dr. Parkinson. Parkinson’s has no cure, but it is a manageable condition to some degree.
During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Parkinson’s Australia aims to highlight the importance of recognizing the less common early warning signs and symptoms of this devastating condition. These include:
- Loss of smell
- Thrashing about in your sleep and acting out your dreams
- Extreme dizziness
- Persistent pain that does not go away
- Changes in a person’s voice, often becoming very quiet
Parkinson’s Australia says, “Being aware and recognising the less common early signs means taking control and seeking advice sooner rather than later.” As with many diseases and conditions, early detection of symptoms and professional diagnosis combined with the commencement of a strong treatment plan is the key to controlling Parkinson’s in the long term.
For people who would like to discover if they might have a genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease, EASYDNA Australia offers the All-In-One Self Discovery Testing Package. This package can grant you access to a wealth of genetic information about the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s, and additionally, covers other key areas of interest such as your ancestry, personality traits, physical performance, response to different nutrients and even your response to certain medications.
Purchasing either the Basic or Premium package will reveal a wealth of information pertaining to your health, wellness, ancestry, personal traits and medication compatibilities. With results arriving in a timely manner, you will receive a comprehensive report that outlines your genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease compared to the average risk of individuals of the same age, race and sex in a given geographic area. You will also receive personalized reports on monogenetic diseases, reactions to pharmaceuticals, your unique DNA traits that make you stand out from everyone else, as well as your overall wellness and ancestry.
So why not take a look at your DNA this April, and discover if you have a genetic tendency towards Parkinson’s disease. For more comprehensive information about Parkinson’s and events in your area, go to Parkinson’s Australia.