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i thought the usual quoted stats is 10% of those dx are under the age of 50. Can someone please confirm? ---------------- According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, roughly 20 percent of those diagnosed are under age 50, and half of those patients got that diagnosis before age 40. ----- Original Message ----- From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 10:08 PM Subject: Young-Onset PD more common now > Doctors Diagnosing 'Young Onset' Parkinson's More Often > Token Creek Man Managing Symptoms > UPDATED: 10:13 am CDT July 7, 2009 > > MADISON, Wis. -- Since the high-profile diagnosis of actor Michael J. Fox > in 1991 at age 30, Parkinson's disease has become well-known as a growing > and even somewhat common disease. > > The disease, though, is not one confined to just the aging anymore. When > someone younger than 40 is diagnosed, it's considered "young onset" > Parkinson's disease. The brain degeneration that causes rigidity and > tremors can be even more challenging mentally for a younger patient. > > However, as the disease becomes more common, some are taking it in stride. > Bob Nasett was diagnosed 10 years ago at the age of 37, after watching his > father die of Parkinson's. > > "When he got the disease, he was stiff and had slowness of movement," said > Nasett. "Turning a screwdriver, I could tell that movement was difficult > for me, and I was stiff getting out of chairs, and that's when I started > to realize that it was probably what I had." > Nasett's brother was diagnosed just a year later, at the age of 31. > They're both one of a growing number being diagnosed at what seems like > younger and younger ages. > > "I think we are seeing more and more because we're more aware of the > disorder," said Dr. Efrain Perez, director of the American Parkinson's > Disease Association. "In the old days, we started attributing that we were > getting older, so it's OK to have a little problem with balance, it's OK > to be slow, OK to be hunched. But nowadays, we realize that this is > different manifestations." > > Get embed codeSave & ShareDr. Perez said stiffness or weakness in limbs > can be the first signs of the brain function failing. The major effort, > especially in younger patients, is to manage the symptoms, because they > can only be controlled for 25 to 30 years, said Perez. > "The whole idea is maintaining the patient's ability to function," said > Perez. "There's no cure for Parkinson's disease, so you basically treat > the symptoms." > Nasett has been dealing with symptoms now for 10 years. Despite the > disease, has managed to landscape the outside of his Token Creek home. > > "The medications I'm on now today, I feel like I have better control," > said Nasett. "With my exercise program, and my desire to fight as long as > I can, I think I have better control today than I had before." > > The treatment of Parkinson's now can include a number of different > medications that can control the symptoms. Some come with side-effects and > can affect each patient differently. Dr. Perez said that exercise is also > proving to help drastically with movement. Nasett is currently in a study > at the University of Wisconsin dealing with how exercise can help control > motion. > > There is no cure, and there isn't a known cause for Parkinson's. Doctors > will diagnose 60,000 new cases this year alone -- most will be in people > over age 60. > > According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, roughly 20 > percent of those diagnosed are under age 50, and half of those patients > got that diagnosis before age 40. > > Rayilyn Brown > Director AZNPF > Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation > [log in to unmask] > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn