World Parkinson's Day

World Parkinson's Day

The Reality of Parkinson’s disease

World Parkinson’s Day is celebrated on the 11th of April each year and it’s a day set aside to raise awareness of the reality of Parkinson’s disease and how it impacts individuals, families and the wider community.

Parkinson's is a disease in which nerve cells that deliver the neurotransmitter dopamine to other cells are reduced in numbers. As cell death spreads to ever larger parts of the brain more centres are affected. This results in an aggravation of motor and non-motor disorders. Following a reduction in dopamine levels, there are many non-motor symptoms that can precede the onset of motor Parkinson's disease for many years.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Non-Motor Symptoms:

  • REM sleep behavioural disorder
  • Reduced sense of smell
  • Automatic dysfunction
  • Depression
  • Impaired Vision
  • Attention Deficit
  • Difficulties planning and carrying out ordinary tasks

Motor Symptoms are based on involuntary movements or rigidity (in which muscles of the body 'freeze up' and do not work). The impact of these motor symptoms in the day to day life of a person with Parkinson's are immense. Symptoms are unpredictable and can vary on a time scale as short as one minute.

The reality of living with Parkinson’s disease:

  • Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.
  • There are over 40 symptoms from pain and stiffness, to problems with sleep and mental health and everyone’s experience is different.
  • Parkinson’s disease is a serious condition
  • People with Parkinson’s often say they don’t feel understood.
  • Not enough people understand what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s.
  • People don’t realise that treatments are limited and that there is no cure.

Get Involved!

If more people understand Parkinson’s, the more people can fundraise, can fight for fair benefits, can support their local communities, and, ultimately, can contribute to getting closer to a cure. It’s time to start the conversation. It’s time to talk about Parkinson’s and together we can make more people sit up and listen. 


Visit https://www.parkinsons.org.uk for more information.