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The Pinecone
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August 2015 • 5 •
PARKINSON’S
Living wi th
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the
nervous system that affects your movement. It develops
gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable
tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be
the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the
disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of
movement. Parkinson’s involves the malfunction and
death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons.
Parkinson’s primarily affects neurons in the an area
of the brain called the substantia nigra. Some of these
dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends
messages to the part of the brain that controls movement
and coordination. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the
amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases,
leaving a person unable to control movement normally.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face
may show little or no expression or your arms may not
swing when you walk. Your speech may become soft or
slurred. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as your
condition progresses over time.
Although Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured,
medications may markedly improve your symptoms. In
occasional cases, your doctor may suggest surgery to
regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your
symptoms.
Prevalence: Parkinson’s may occur in 1 to 2 per 1,000
people and affects about 1% of the population older
than age 50 years in every country of the world and 3%
of those over age 75.
Incidence: It affects more than 1 million people in the
US, with more than 50,000 new cases occurring each
year.
Come join us on August 17th at 10:00 am in the PAC to
learn more about Parkinson’s Disease and ways to help
combat the effects of this disease.
CONGRATULATIONS, RACHEL!
We wanted to recognize Rachel Graves PT, MS, GCS, CCI,
one of our outstanding Physical Therapists, for being selected as
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s
Physical Therapy Instructor of the Year Runner-Up.
Great award for Rachel and for RehabCare and Kirby Pines.