2.  Parkinson Disease (PD) is a disorder of the brain that causes a variety of movement problems.

3.  The causes of Parkinson Disease remains unknown.  Many experts think that the disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  Scientists have identified aging as an important cause.

4.  About 15 to 25 percent of people with Parkinsons report having a relative with the disease.  Researchers have discovered several gene mutations that can cause the disease directly, but these affect only a small number of families.

5.  Some scientists have suggested that Parkinson's disease may result from exposure to an environmental toxin or injury.  Researchers have identified several factors that may be linked to Parkinson’s.  rural living  well water  manganese  pesticides  Some studies have demonstrated that prolonged occupational exposure to certain chemicals can be a trigger as well.

6.  A substance called dopamine acts as a messenger between two brain areas, the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum to produce smooth, controlled movements.  When the amount of dopamine is too low, communication between the substantia nigra and corpus striatum becomes ineffective, and movement becomes impaired.  The greater the loss of dopamine, the worse the movement-related symptoms

8.  Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.  The most common movement disorder.  In the United States, about 1 million people are affected by Parkinson's disease and worldwide about 5 million.

9. Primary symptoms include: tremor, stiffness, slowness, impaired balance shuffling

10.  Effects the present areas

11.  Anxiety, insecurity, and stress  Confusion and memory loss  Constipation  Depression  Difficulty swallowing and excessive salivation  Increased sweating  Skin problem  Slowed, quieter speech, and monotone voice  Urinary frequency/urgency

12.  Most people who develop Parkinson's disease are older than 60 years of age.  Men are affected about 1.5 to 2 times more often than women.  People who have a family history of the disorder.  Exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and herbicides may be a risk factor.

13.  There is currently NO treatment to cure Parkinson's disease.

14.  For some individuals with unmanageable motor symptoms, surgery may be an option.  In deep brain stimulation(DBS), the surgeon implants electrodes to stimulate areas of the brain involved in movement.  In another type of surgery, specific areas in the brain that cause Parkinson's symptoms are destroyed.  An alternative approach currently being explored is the use of dopamine-producing cells derived from stem cells.

15.  General lifestyle changes (rest and exercise), physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may be beneficial.

16.  Parkinson’s Disease is NOT preventable.

17.  The severity of Parkinson's disease symptoms vary greatly from individual to individual and it is not possible to predict how quickly the disorder will progress.  Parkinson's disease is not a fatal disease, and the average life expectancy is similar to that of people without the disease.

20.  http://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/article.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/article.htm  http://www.umm.edu/parkinsons/facts.htm?gclid=CJO2msCr868CFYZx Ogody0m7XA http://www.umm.edu/parkinsons/facts.htm?gclid=CJO2msCr868CFYZx Ogody0m7XA  http://www.azilect.com/Consumer/About-Parkinson-s- Disease/Parkinson-s-Symptoms.aspx?s_mcid=google-ppc- &s_kwcid=TC|6774|parkinsons%20disease%20symptoms||S||6492865475 &gclid=CJGPtMWr868CFYeo4AodehfvXA http://www.azilect.com/Consumer/About-Parkinson-s- Disease/Parkinson-s-Symptoms.aspx?s_mcid=google-ppc- &s_kwcid=TC|6774|parkinsons%20disease%20symptoms||S||6492865475 &gclid=CJGPtMWr868CFYeo4AodehfvXA  http://www.pdf.org/en/about_pd http://www.pdf.org/en/about_pd