World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually on April 11 to bring attention to this medical condition. Parkinson’s disease is still largely unknown, and its severity is unclear to the majority of people. Parkinson’s disease is a well-known disorder that affects the nervous system, impairs movement, and is frequently characterised by tremors. The purpose of this day is to raise public awareness and mobilise us all to aid those in need. Also encouraged is extensive research to bring us closer to a cure for the condition.
HISTORY OF GLOBAL PARKINSON’S DAY
Early documents contain indications of probable Parkinson’s disease, but James Parkinson wrote the first clear medical description in 1817. Earlier descriptions, such as Sylvius de la Boe’s description of rest tremor in 1680 and Sauvage’s description of festination in 1768, contain fragments of the description of Parkinsonism.
Parkinson’s disease was described in Indian and Chinese documents dating back to 1000 B.C. In the nineteenth century, anticholinergic medications were used to treat Parkinson’s based on empirical observations. Midway through the 1800s, Jean-Martin Charcot was instrumental in refining and expanding this description, and he disseminated information about Parkinson’s across the globe. Charcot and his students outlined the clinical spectrum of the disease, identified two prototypes, and provided a comprehensive description of the arthritic changes, dysautonomia, and pain that can accompany Parkinson’s disease.
Charcot was the first to coin the term Parkinson’s disease. In the 1960s, researchers identified chemical differences in the brains of Parkinson’s patients and discovered low levels of dopamine and nerve cell degeneration in a portion of the brain. This made it possible to effectively treat Parkinson’s disease with dopamine agonists. In the 1960s, levodopa was used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and it remains the most commonly prescribed medication.
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5 FACTS ABOUT PARKINSON’S DISEASE
There is no treatment
The cause of Parkinson’s disease is primarily unknown, and there is no cure; however, there are a variety of treatments available.
People do not exhibit identical symptoms.
Symptoms progress differently for each individual.
There are early indications
Changes in handwriting, in which writing becomes smaller or more congested over time, are another symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical activity can aid
Many Parkinson’s symptoms can be alleviated through exercise.
There are designated treatment facilities.
The Centers of Excellence consist of 47 world-class medical facilities staffed by renowned Parkinson’s disease experts.
WORLD PARKINSON’S DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 11 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | April 11 | Thursday |
| 2025 | April 11 | Friday |
| 2026 | April 11 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April 11 | Sunday |
