BHC home - health and medical information for consumers
Health and medical information for consumers, quality assured by the Victorian government (Australia).
23 November, 2009
HomeContact usAbout usSubscribe to our free newsletterLinks
 Home > Fact sheets by category > Diseases and conditions > Neuromuscular system > Other conditions > Parkinson's disease. Need help? 
Better Health Channel logo
Better Health Channel logo
  • Health information
  • Resources and tools
  • Healthy eating
  • Find help
gradient background image
Victorian Government Website (Victoria The Place To Be)
 

Parkinson's disease

 
 

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects the control of body movements. It is not contagious and not fatal. It is thought to be genetic in a very small percentage of cases.

Symptoms result from the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the middle area of the brain. This causes a deficiency in the availability of dopamine, a chemical messenger necessary for smooth, controlled movements. The symptoms of Parkinson’s appear when about 70 per cent of the dopamine producing cells cease to function normally.

A common disease
It is estimated that approximately 4four people per 1,000 have Parkinson’s in Australia, with the incidence increasing to one in 100 over the age of 60. In Australia there are approximately 80,000 people living with Parkinson’s, with one in five people with Parkinson’s being diagnosed before the age of 50 years. More than 2,225 new cases are diagnosed in Victoria every year

Physical symptoms vary
The type, number, severity and progression of symptoms varies greatly between individuals. No two people are affected in the same way. Some of the main symptoms are:

  • Tremor (shaking)
  • Rigidity (muscle stiffness)
  • Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
  • Freezing
  • Stooped posture
  • Shuffling gait
  • Micrographia (small handwriting)
  • Lethargy.
Causes are unknown
At present there is no known cause. Research worldwide is investigating possible causes including:
  • Pesticides, toxins, chemicals
  • Genetic factors
  • Head trauma.
Management of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is managed by:
  • Medication
  • Neurosurgery
  • Multidisciplinary therapy (physiotherapists, dietitians, counsellors).
Where to get help
  • Your neurologist
  • Your doctor
  • Parkinson’s Victoria Tel. 1800 644 189
  • Parkinson’s support groups
  • Movement disorder programs
  • Community services at your local council
  • Independent Living Centre Tel. (03) 9362 6111
Where carers can get help
  • All of the above
  • Carers Victoria Tel. 1800 242 636
  • The Brain Foundation Tel. 1800 677 579
Things to remember
  • Parkinson’s is a manageable condition.
  • The symptoms of Parkinson’s vary in number, type, severity and progression.
  • No two people will experience the condition the same way, so management will also vary.
You might also be interested in:
Acquired brain injury.
Dementia explained.
Essential tremor.
Myasthenia gravis.
Nervous system.
Parkinson's disease - treatment.
Parkinson's disease and constipation.
Parkinson's disease and exercise.
Parkinson's disease and going to hospital.
Parkinson's disease and sexual issues.

Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

Parkinson's Victoria Inc
(Logo links to further information)






  
 


This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:

Parkinson's Victoria Inc
 
Parkinson's Victoria

   Copyight © 1999/2009  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
  
Better Health Channel logo

Last updated: April 2009

Linking to the Better Health Channel
It's easy to link to this page | Close

© State of Victoria. All rights reserved

The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.

  Site map | Terms and conditions | Privacy | Download help | Accreditation