What is Parkinson’s? Here are the warning signs and who is most at risk.

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback and Football Hall of Fame member Brett Favre revealed that he suffers from Parkinson’s disease during a congressional hearing Tuesday about his alleged misuse of welfare funds in Mississippi.

Favre, 54, attributed his diagnosis to several concussions he suffered during his football career. Research suggests that head injuries may be linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease and that football players are also more likely to develop it.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative and progressive disease in which parts of the brain become damaged and die. In Parkinson’s patients, the neurons in the brain that produce dopamine are most often affected. This affects the person’s ability to perform fluid movements.

What are the signs of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is known to start slowly and progress over time, with symptoms varying from person to person.

One of the most common symptoms of the disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation, is tremors, especially in the hand. This tremor usually occurs when your hand (or other affected muscles) is resting. This phenomenon is usually the first sign of the disease.

Other warning signs associated with Parkinson’s disease include stiffness and immobility of the limbs, problems with balance, changes in posture, slowed movements, drooling, loss of sense of smell, and reduced blinking. Often these symptoms begin on one side of the body and then spread to both sides.

Symptoms associated with a loss of muscle control are the most common, but as mentioned, the exact problems may vary for each person. People with Parkinson’s disease often have trouble walking and may even experience freezing or falls as the disease progresses.

What causes Parkinson’s disease?

The exact cause of Parkinson’s is not known, but factors such as genetic changes (if there is a significant history of Parkinson’s in your family) can increase your risk, as can certain environmental toxins such as pesticides. As mentioned above, some studies suggest that brain injury is also linked to the disease.

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, including men, older adults (the disease usually begins around age 50), and people who have parents or siblings with the disease.

Because there is no known cause of Parkinson’s disease, there is no known way to prevent it. However, regular aerobic exercise may help, and some research suggests that caffeine consumption may also reduce the risk, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What do I do if I suspect I have Parkinson’s disease?

If you think you may have Parkinson’s disease, you should speak to your GP, who may refer you to a neurologist in your area. The neurologist can then carry out tests and review your medical history to determine whether you have the disease.

It’s also important to raise any concerns with your GP as soon as possible because, unlike other conditions, there is no simple test that can tell you whether or not you have Parkinson’s. It can take a while and require many appointments to get an official diagnosis.

There is no cure for the disease, but according to the National Institutes of Health, there are treatments and medications that can help ease the bothersome symptoms. Certain lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can also benefit Parkinson’s patients, and regular appointments with a physical or occupational therapist are also beneficial.

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