Parkinson’s Disease: 2nd Most Common Neurodegenerative Disorder and Its Early Signs

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and is characterized by changes in movement and emotion.

Tremors from Parkinson’s disease often start in the hands and may get worse as the disease progresses. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. In the United States alone, about 1.1 million people are currently living with this condition—a number expected to keep rising.

This progressive neurological disorder occurs when dopamine-producing neurons in the brain begin to degenerate, leading to movement- and emotion-related symptoms. It affects each person differently.