Under Age 45? Would You Know If You Had Parkinson's Disease (PD)?
Press releases may be edited for formatting or style | April 01, 2010
National Parkinson
Foundation (NPF)
Foundation (NPF)
MIAMI /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The majority of people with young-onset Parkinson's disease saw two to three physicians before receiving a correct diagnosis, according to a just-released National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) survey of young-onset Parkinson's patients. The survey was conducted at the "Young-Onset Parkinson Conference" held in Sacramento, California.
The survey results underscore the frustration many patients go through prior to a correct diagnosis. Recognizing this frustration, along with the need for a comprehensive source for information on PD, NPF has just launched its new web site, www.parkinson.org.
"Parkinson.org is intended to be the 'go-to' resource for the Parkinson's community," says Joyce Oberdorf, NPF's President and CEO. "For people with questions about worrisome symptoms, it serves as a perfect place to start. Armed with the most current PD information, people can now visit their physicians prepared with focused questions - which in turn can provide a quicker diagnosis, and ultimately the most appropriate and best available care."
Additional survey results show that the first symptom most young-onset Parkinson's patients notice is tremor (70%), followed by general stiffness (39%). Loss of sense of smell (16%) also is a factor. Furthermore, respondents report that the highest concern is how their PD will progress, followed by worry over career and finances.
"The average age of a PD diagnosis is around 62. When an individual is diagnosed with PD before the age of 50, the disorder is called young-onset Parkinson's disease. Early symptoms of PD can be subtle, particularly for young-onset Parkinson's, and it often takes an expert in the disease to make the proper diagnosis," explains Michael S. Okun, M.D., National Medical Director for the National Parkinson Foundation.
About www.parkinson.org
The National Parkinson Foundation, with its long history of providing support and information for people diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease, takes its role to a new level with the launch of www.parkinson.org.
"With so much information available, it is difficult for people with Parkinson's, their families and those who care for them to wade through it all and find the information they need," continues Oberdorf. "This site puts the needs of the community first, and consolidates all available resources in one place."
Moreover, the web site helps people better understand their disease -- from diagnosis to treatment -- and provides tips for how to live well and care for someone with the disease.
The survey results underscore the frustration many patients go through prior to a correct diagnosis. Recognizing this frustration, along with the need for a comprehensive source for information on PD, NPF has just launched its new web site, www.parkinson.org.
"Parkinson.org is intended to be the 'go-to' resource for the Parkinson's community," says Joyce Oberdorf, NPF's President and CEO. "For people with questions about worrisome symptoms, it serves as a perfect place to start. Armed with the most current PD information, people can now visit their physicians prepared with focused questions - which in turn can provide a quicker diagnosis, and ultimately the most appropriate and best available care."
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"The average age of a PD diagnosis is around 62. When an individual is diagnosed with PD before the age of 50, the disorder is called young-onset Parkinson's disease. Early symptoms of PD can be subtle, particularly for young-onset Parkinson's, and it often takes an expert in the disease to make the proper diagnosis," explains Michael S. Okun, M.D., National Medical Director for the National Parkinson Foundation.
About www.parkinson.org
The National Parkinson Foundation, with its long history of providing support and information for people diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease, takes its role to a new level with the launch of www.parkinson.org.
"With so much information available, it is difficult for people with Parkinson's, their families and those who care for them to wade through it all and find the information they need," continues Oberdorf. "This site puts the needs of the community first, and consolidates all available resources in one place."
Moreover, the web site helps people better understand their disease -- from diagnosis to treatment -- and provides tips for how to live well and care for someone with the disease.
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