Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, after Alzheimer’s. This brain disorder usually comes on slowly. Those afflicted may notice a tremor in the hand, for example, or find they’re slurring their speech or feeling a little bit slower than usual. It’s a progressive disease, which means that as time goes on, symptoms will worsen.
An estimated 500,000 people in the United States suffer from Parkinson’s, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. However, many experts believe that number is much higher, as people who have it can go undiagnosed for years. Worldwide, Parkinson’s is thought to affect 10 million people.
