August 9, 2023

Myths and Facts About Parkinson’s Disease

About Katie Neal

Content Manager

Katie Neal is a former Parade magazine editor who was lucky enough to interview two of her idols — Jimmy Carter and Taylor Swift —before pivoting to a career in marketing. Now she leads content strategy and engagement for Brookdale Senior Living.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain that is called substantia nigra. It’s a condition that nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed

with per year, making Parkinson’s the most commonly diagnosed neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease in the United States.

Currently, there is estimated to be more than 10 million people living with Parkinson’s disease across the globe. And the number of those expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. by the year 2030 has risen to approximately 1.2 million. With statistics like that, it’s possible that you may know someone who is living with the condition or you may be a PD patient yourself. Educating yourself about the disease can help you support yourself or others through a diagnosis and can inform you about your risk factors.

Here are 3 myths about Parkinson’s disease.

Myth #1: Parkinson’s disease only affects movement.

Fact: While movement symptoms such as tremor and balance issues are the most noticable, many symptoms of PD are unrelated to movement. Non-movement symptoms are those you cannot see. They are common for people with PD and may affect their day-to-day life. These may include:

Loss of smell
Constipation and digestive issues
Depression
Sleep disorders
Bladder symptoms
Pain
Fatigue
Sexual dysfunction

Myth #2: People with PD may experience “flare ups” from time to time, where symptoms worsen.

Parkinson’s is not generally a condition with flare-ups. Although symptoms may fluctuate throughout the day, the disease actually progresses very slowly. If your symptoms worsen over days or weeks, call your doctor because it’s likely critical to discover the underlying cause. Some things that may worsen PD symptoms include medication changes, dehydration, sleep deprivation, urinary tract infections and stress. Medications commonly prescribed for nausea may also have an effect.

Myth #3: A test will tell you if you have Parkinson’s.

There is not a specific lab or imaging test that can diagnose PD. Parkinson’s is a clinical diagnosis, which is typically based on an individual’s health history, symptoms and an in-office physical exam. Diagnosis in the early stages of the disease can be more difficult. The first and most important diagnostic tool for PD is a medical history and physical examination conducted by a neurologist that will assess the agility of arms and legs, muscle tone, gait and balance.

To help confirm a diagnosis, a neurologist may sometimes order a dopamine transporter scan (known as a DaTscan), which allows visualization of the dopamine system in the brain. It is similar to an MRI, but looks at the function of the brain rather than the structure. The neurologist may also recommend doing a Syn-One Test, which is a skin biopsy that may confirm the presence of phosphorylation in the nerves. Phosphorylation can carry a protein that is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Here are a few facts about Parkinson’s:

1. Gender and age affect your risk.

Men are an estimated 1.5 times more likely to live with Parkinson’s disease than women. Men and women older than the age of 65 are diagnosed more frequently than younger populations.

2. People in certain regions of the United States may have a higher risk of Parkinson's.

Statistics show that diagnosis rates are higher in the parts of the northwest and Midwest known as the “Rust Belt,” as well as in Southeastern Texas, Southern California, Florida, and Central Pennsylvania.

3. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, research is ongoing and treatment options exist.

Options including medications, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and exercise may all be part of a PD treatment plan. It may include medications aimed at improving your movement, and others aimed at improving non-movement symptoms such as constipation, urinary dysfunction, or sleep. The treatment of Parkinson’s is often best served via a team approach, with the person with PD at the center.

4. There’s a foundation that can help answer your questions and provide ongoing support.

The Parkinson's Foundation Helpline can be contacted at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or Helpline@Parkinson.org for help answering your Parkinson’s questions. For more information, visit Parkinson.org.

^{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise or fitness program, taking any additional or discontinuing any existing medications, or acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site. The above content was provided with permission by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Reference to the Parkinson’s Foundation or any other third parties does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of such services or third parties by Brookdale or its affiliates.}