New Indy sends out a monthly newsletter, which contains updates from other mills, healthy habits, etc. In addition, the newsletter features the month’s health awareness! April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.
What is it? Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder in which neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement deteriorate.The deterioration of the neurons results in a shortage of dopamine, a brain-signaling chemical, which causes problems with movement. Parkinson’s Disease affects close to 1 million Americans. Symptoms, which typically progress over time, include tremor (trembling or shaking), slow movement, rigid limbs, stooped posture, an inability to move, reduced facial expressions and a shuffling gait. The condition can also cause depression, dementia, speech impairments, personality changes and sexual difficulties. Currently, there is much research being done to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, but there are currently no known cure for PD.
10 early signs of Parkinson’s Disease: Tremor/Shaking, small handwriting, loss of smell, trouble sleeping, trouble moving/walking, constipation, a soft/low voice, masked face, dizziness/fainting, or stooping/hunching over. If you or a loved one exhibit one or multiple of these systems, you should see your physician as soon as possible.
How to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease: There is no way to fully prevent PD, but there are things you can do to prevent or delay the onset of the disease: Eat fresh, raw vegetables, avoid pesticides and petrochemical solvents, and avoid excess iron.
Visit www.pdf.org/april for more information!