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Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Parkinson's Disease is on the Rise

 



The incidence of the disease is growing, even in people under 50.


There’s still a lot we don’t know about Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, one thing we know for sure is that it’s on the rise. The number of people living with Parkinson’s disease doubled between 1990 and 2015, and experts say it could double again by 2040, to 12.9 million people worldwide. As the numbers rise, more and more people under age 50 are diagnosed. We’re still learning about the causes behind this distressing trend.

Chemical Pesticides Play a Role


Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that targets the dopamine-producing area of the brain. People with Parkinson’s experience changes in motor function including tremor, stiffness, slow movements, and trouble with balance, along with non-movement symptoms like depression, fatigue, and problems with speech and sleep. Currently, therapies for Parkinson’s do much to alleviate symptoms but can’t slow or halt the progression of the disease. 

Parkinson's Foundation Helpline

The Parkinson’s Foundation runs a Helpline staffed by nurses, social workers, and health educators. They provide referrals to healthcare providers, resources for social support, and general information for families dealing with Parkinson’s disease.

1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) 
    Some of the extra Parkinson’s diagnoses we’re seeing today can be explained by an aging population and better diagnostic tools–but not all. The rest of the increase may be due to environmental risk factors, and scientists are working to understand what these are. 

    Evidence suggests that pollution plays a role, particularly exposure to chemical pesticides. Exposure to the industrial pesticides trichloroethylene, chlorpyrifos, and paraquat have all been demonstrated to increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. This past December, the EPA banned trichloroethylene, in a major win for the PD community and public health. The Michael J. Fox Foundation said the EPA decision “marks a significant step in reducing dangerous environmental exposures and protecting the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans.” As of early this year, the EPA is still trying to ban the use of chlorpyrifos on food. As for paraquat, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and others continue to fight to keep the chemical away from our nervous systems. Paraquat is banned in 70 countries; in the U.S. it’s banned on golf courses but not on crops. Depending on the level of exposure, paraquat increases a person’s risk of Parkinson’s by 100 to 500%. 

    Farmworkers are most at risk of exposure to these chemicals. Long-term exposure to air pollution has also recently been correlated to mortality due to Parkinson’s.


    Parkinson’s Under 50


    Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD), also called Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD), is also rising in proportion to the overall increase. Worldwide, about 10% to 20% of people with Parkinson’s develop symptoms before the age of 50. Scientists believe that the younger you are when you develop Parkinson’s, the more likely the disease is genetic. 


    People diagnosed with YOPD face unique challenges. While cognitive problems are less frequent, younger people may experience more cramping and abnormal posture. The social dimension of Parkinson’s for younger people can be especially difficult. 


    Younger people may also struggle in finding their diagnosis. Arm stiffness, for example, might be attributed to a sports injury rather than Parkinson’s in a younger person. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation early signs of PD include:

    1. A tremor, particularly while at rest

    2. Small handwriting, also called micrographia

    3. Sudden movements during sleep

    4. Trouble walking, including a feeling of feet being “stuck to the floor”

    5. Loss of smell

    6. Constipation

    7. Talking more softly, or other changes in the voice

    8. A tendency to stoop or hunch over

    9. Dizziness or fainting

    10. A serious or angry expression when at rest, also called a masked face


    Any of these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions or medication side effects, but if you notice more than one new symptom on the list, the Parkinson’s Foundation suggests bringing it up with your doctor. 


    According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, “While participating in a clinical trial may be the furthest thing from one's mind when processing a EOPD diagnosis, many studies of therapies to slow or stop progression need people who were recently diagnosed and have not begun medication.” They host the Fox Trial Finder to connect eligible people with studies. Through ongoing research and their advocacy against the most dangerous chemicals, the Fox Foundation and others are working toward reversing the current upward trend in Parkinson’s disease.




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