April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Some people may be asking what Parkinson’s disease is, while others already have a very intimate knowledge and are dealing with the disease every day. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, “Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Because PD can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a ‘movement disorder.’ But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be a part of Parkinson’s.”

Unfortunately, the journey with Parkinson’s is not one size fits all. Every person affected by Parkinson’s has traveled their own unique road to discovering what they are battling. Early signs for someone with Parkinson’s might include tremors, small or shaky handwriting, loss of smell, sleep problems, stiffness and an expressionless face. These are just the obvious symptoms; there are other symptoms that are hard to detect and are not always obvious. Because of this, be sure to be as honest with your doctor as you can, so if you are suffering from this disease or another, you can develop a course of action that fits your needs.

Parkinson’s disease is primarily identified in individuals over the age of 60. Men are more frequently affected than women. Some high-risk factors for developing Parkinson’s have been identified as a family history of the disease as well as having a history of traumatic brain injury or repeated concussions. Other potential risk factors are believed to include having Type 2 diabetes, having cardiovascular disease, hepatitis C, and/or depression. Just remember these are risk factors; there are other causes and people can have Parkinson’s without experiencing the above conditions.

As of now, Parkinson’s disease does not have a cure, but there have been different medications developed to help with managing symptoms. Also, non-medication centered supportive treatments often include exercise, which help with maintaining balance and flexibility; physical therapy, often focusing on gait, balance and strengthening; occupational therapy, which helps maintain independence in daily tasks; speech therapy, which addresses communication difficulties and swallowing problems; as well as a healthy diet and different lifestyle changes.

Diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and different cancers tend to utilize month-long campaigns to not only educate the public, but also to promote prevention and support research for these different health conditions. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation website on Parkinson’s Awareness Month, “This April, we’re striving to reach more people and improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease through greater awareness.”

Either you or someone you know might be experiencing life with this disease and sometimes you just do not know where to look for resources to grow your support system. By attending outreach events and subscribing to websites dedicated to the disease, people may find something that helps them as they battle for control.