Parkinson’s disease, or PD as it is sometimes referred to, is a progressive, neurological condition. It is predominantly characterised by problems with body movements, known as ‘motor symptoms’ – the most identifiable, perhaps, being tremor. Other difficulties that are not related to movement can also occur, such as pain, sleep disturbance and depression - these are known as ‘non-motor symptoms’.
According to the Global Declaration for Parkinson’s Disease ‘Moving & Shaping’ (2004), 6.3 million people have Parkinson’s worldwide, affecting all races and cultures. The age of onset is usually over 60, but it is estimated that one in 10 people are diagnosed before the age of 50, with slightly more men than women affected.
Parkinson’s is life-altering, but it is not life-threatening.
My symptoms have changed during the years. Somebody said that living with Parkinson’s is like living with a thief. It controls all my functions, my visual perception, cognition, my mind, blood pressure and body temperature and my sex life. Like a thief in the night, it sneaks up on me and my dignity so that I lose my motor skills and power to control; it also ruins my night's rest. The situation shifts from day-to-day. But with the right medication and exercise I feel that I am winning a little.
Skjalvor
Oslo, Norway
