What is PD?
Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by reduced dopamine production. It results in a loss of bodily control, extending far beyond a mere shaky hand. It is a life-altering condition where individuals face the challenge of their bodies progressively disobeying commands. This creates a confinement of slowness, rigidity, clouded minds, muted voices, and both mental and physical pain.
More than 8 million people in the world have Parkinson’s. In Manitoba, there are seven thousand people living with Parkinson’s. It is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world. It has more than forty possible symptoms of which the ‘gold standard’ of treatment is over fifty years old, is not one hundred percent effective, and is not available to everyone who needs it.
Common Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease manifests when the cells responsible for dopamine production either die or become dysfunctional. This gives rise to various symptoms, including:
- Tremors
- Slowness of movement
- Impaired balance
- Rigidity of muscles
- Fatigue
- Soft speech
- Problems with handwriting
- Stooped posture
- Constipation
- Sleep disruption
- Depression
These are just a few common symptoms among many other possible symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
How Physical Exercise Helps
Physical activity has been proven to reduce symptoms, slow progression, and support individuals in maintaining or improving their quality of life. U-Turn Parkinson’s is the only organization offering condition-specific exercise programs, free of charge, to the Parkinson’s community in Manitoba.