Perhaps what comes to mind when you think of Parkinson’s’s Disease is one of two things: a person with shaking hands, or a person shuffling their feet across the floor. These are both symptoms of Parkinson’s’s Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1-2 in 1000 people. [1] While Parkinson’s’s disease is most common in people over 60, Juvenile Onset Parkinson’s’s Disease affects people under age 20, and Early Onset Parkinson’s’s Disease is diagnosed in those under age 40. Today is World Parkinson’s Day, in honour of Dr. James Parkinson’s birthday, and his work on “The Shaking Palsy” in the early 1800s.

Parkinson’s’s disease can cause tremor, most often in the fingers, hands and arms. This is normally the first symptom of PD. [2] Slowed movement, known as bradykinesia reduces ability to move and makes tasks take longer to complete. Steps may shorten when walking, leading to a “shuffling” gait, sometimes called a Parkinson’s’sian Shuffle. [2] Muscles become rigid, posture and balance become impaired, and over time, speech ability including volume and speed may be altered. [2] The ability to write may also change, and a person may appear to have very small writing. [2] As well, automatic movements such as swinging the arms when walking, blinking, and smiling, can be affected. [2] There are a host of other symptoms that can come from neurodegenerative diseases like PD. [2]

Parkinson’s’s disease has a genetic component, so it may be hereditary. Other causative factors include certain environmental toxins. [2]

If you have Parkinson’s’s Disease it can be helpful to wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace in case of an emergency. Multiple medications may pose risk for drug interactions during emergency treatment, speech or communication may be affected, and a person may not be able to say things how they want to; as well, writing as an alternate form of communication may be affected. Medical ID jewelry can help in communicating that you have Parkinson’s’s Disease. Wearing medical ID jewelry may give you and your family peace of mind.

April is Parkinson’s’s Awareness Month. While many people see just the “hand tremor” side of Parkinson’s… we know there is much more to Parkinson’s’s than that.