Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects the whole body and mind. Common symptoms include tremors, painful muscle contractions and difficulty speaking. Symptoms begin when nerve cells in the brain stop working properly. The most affected cells can be those deep in the brain, responsible for making the chemical dopamine, a messenger necessary for smooth, controlled movements.

The cause of Parkinson’s is unknown but people with a family history of the disease have a higher risk. The disease usually occurs in older people, but younger people can also be affected.